The escalating production costs associated with the increasing costs to U.S. farmers of energy and synthetic fertilizers and the problems of soil deterioration and erosion associated with intensive farming systems have generated considerable interest in less expensive and more environmentally compatible production alternatives such as recycling wastes from several processing operations and developing new organic products for use in land farming. New soil management practices are needed to develop and expand our knowledge and technical means of agricultural production systems related to recycling waste, soil enzyme activity, and crop yield.
Glucosinolates are present in varying amounts in members of the Brassicaceae family (i.e., mustard and arugula). They suppress soil-borne pests due to the biofumigant properties of the highly toxic isothiocyanates present in Brassica vegetables.
Dr. George Antonious, professor in the College of Agriculture, Food Science, and Sustainable Systems, is working on research with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assess variation in glucosinolate concentrations among mustard, arugula, kale, and collard plants grown under four soil management practices: sewage sludge, horse manure, chicken manure, and no-mulch native soil; assess enzyme activity in soil amended with sewage sludge, horse manure, chicken manure, and no-mulch native soil; monitor crop yield and quality as affected by soil amendments; and enhance minority student learning in agricultural and environmental sciences by increasing students' hands-on training in field and laboratory plant and soil sciences. Dr. Antonious is also working on research screening the USDA Capsicum Collection for antioxidants and metal accumulation. Peppers, a significant component of the human diet in many regions of the world, provide vitamins A and C and are a source of many other antioxidants such as capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and phenols. Enhancing the concentration of antioxidants in fruits of pepper plants grown in soil amended with recycled waste such as sewage sludge, yard waste, and chicken manure has not been completely investigated. Dr. Antonious analyzed changes in pepper antioxidant content in relation to soil amendments and fruit development. Total marketable pepper yield was increased by 34% and 15% in soil amended with sewage sludge and chicken manure amendments, respectively, compared to no-mulch bare soil; whereas, the number of culls (fruits that fail to meet the requirements of foregoing grades) was lower in yard waste compared to sewage sludge and chicken manure treatments.
manure, and no-mulch native soil; monitor crop yield and quality as affected by soil amendments; and enhance minority student learning in agricultural and environmental sciences by increasing students' hands-on training in field and laboratory plant and soil sciences.
Dr. Antonious is also working on research screening the USDA Capsicum Collection for antioxidants and metal accumulation. Peppers, a significant component of the human diet in many regions of the world, provide vitamins A and C and are a source of many other antioxidants such as capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and phenols. Enhancing the concentration of antioxidants in fruits of pepper plants grown in soil amended with recycled waste such as sewage sludge, yard waste, and chicken manure has not been completely investigated. Dr. Antonious analyzed changes in pepper antioxidant content in relation to soil amendments and fruit development. Total marketable pepper yield was increased by 34% and 15% in soil amended with sewage sludge and chicken manure amendments, respectively, compared to no-mulch bare soil; whereas, the number of culls (fruits that fail to meet the requirements of foregoing grades) was lower in yard waste compared to sewage sludge and chicken manure treatments.
Other research projects include exploring wild tomato leaf extracts in pesticide formulations.
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