Design of
Experimental Equipment
A research study to
provide a ready mechanism for preliminary investigation of problems not covered
by existing projects; to provide the vehicle for inter-departmental
cooperation; and to be the means by which prototype machines can be designed,
constructed, and tested. (1414)
Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: Ronald L. Elliott
Color Machine Vision
for Food Quality Inspection
Develop and demonstrate
the application of color machine vision and video image processing to the
evaluation of food product quality. Develop machine vision software for
full-color detection and interpretation of food quality attributes. Develop
lighting and optical techniques for optimum image acquisition. Determine
quality evaluation performance by statistical comparison with accepted quality
standards. (1973)
Sponsors: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, OSU
Food Technology Center Research Initiative Program
PI: Glenn Kranzler
Development of
Equipment and Mechanical Systems to Support and Enhance Precision Farming
Technology
Design and develop
variable-flow valves suitable for use with precision liquid applications.
Design and develop variable-flow granular metering devices suitable for use
with precision granular applications. Design and develop machine elements,
utilizing state-of-the-art mechanical and electrical components, to improve and
enhance site-specific crop production machinery. (2307)
Sponsors: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station,
Kalsec, Inc., OCAST
PIs: Paul Weckler, John Solie, Bill Raun
Parameter and
Prediction Uncertainty in Hydrologic Modeling
Investigate procedures
for evaluating the uncertainty associated with hydrologic/water quality models
in settings where there are no observed data on the quantities being modeled to
assist in parameter estimation or model calibration. Accomplishing this
objective will require investigating sources of parameter uncertainty,
investigating ways to qualify parameter uncertainty, and investigating the
impact of uncertainty in parameters on uncertainty in model predictions. (2311)
Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: Bill Barfield
Nitrate Leaching
Under Long Term Land Uses in Oklahoma
The hypothesis
“Nitrate mass flux leaching below Oklahoma dryland wheat is not a
function of nitrate-nitrogen fertilizer application rate” will be tested.
The hypothesis is a ramification of the recently proposed Soil-Plant-Buffer
(SPB) theory of Raun and Johnson (1995). The SPB is believed to provide a
“safety zone” that has the capability to regulate or remove
significant amounts of fertilizer nitrate-nitrogen applied over that required
to achieve maximum crop yield. It is not a process or property per se, but instead
the response of the complex community and interactions occurring in and around
the root zone. This is not a test of the SPB theory itself, but only one result
suggested by that research. As formed, the hypotheses are more relevant to the
issue of ground water impact. (2315)
Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: Glenn Brown
Material Properties
and Processes for Engineering New Foods
Investigate the physical
properties of existing foods produced with reduced processing, having more
natural ingredients and fewer additives, and new foods created by advanced
processing methods. Identify the characteristics of new processed foods for
improved consumer acceptability. Identify and measure those physical properties
of food materials which characterize high quality. Determine those physical
properties important during development of new processed foods. Determine
diffusion properties of gases/liquids used to extract oil from high oil food
materials. Develop improved methods for objective determination of food texture.
Determine texture of new food products in relation to their oil and water
content. Develop methods to modify reduced-fat products to improve texture.
Determine textural changes of modified-atmosphere packaged products during
extended storage. (2318)
Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: Gerald Brusewitz
Developing a Risked Based Approach to Watershed/Basin Level Nonpoint Source Pollution Assessment
A risk-based systems
approach to watershed/basin-level pollutant assessment and trading will be
developed to address point and nonpoint sources of pollutants within
agricultural and urban watersheds. The systems approach will integrate ecology,
engineering, economics and political science to promote source water protection
and address declining water quality from point and nonpoint source pollutant
loading to surface waters. (2323)
Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: Dan Storm
Food Process
Optimization Emphasizing Engineering Techniques
Development and
application of a novel cutter-separator for agricultural products.
The experimental device
macerates and separates agricultural materials using a unique process. A
prototype has been constructed and tested on beef chunks. Spherical ball
bearings were successfully separated from beef. Other food and ag products will
be tested for development of new products and separation processes. (2356)
Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: Tim Bowser
Develop and Assess Precision Farming Technology and Its Economic and Environmental Impacts
Adapt, develop and assess methodology and equipment for variable rate control of inputs to precision farming systems. Develop methodologies and analytical tools for optimum utilization of inputs in precision farming systems. (2428)
Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: John Solie
Monitoring and Modeling Evapotranspiration and Soil Moisture: Applications of the Oklahoma Mesonet
To calibrate and validate automated soil moisture measurements made at Oklahoma Mesonet sites. To assess the applicability of various data source and methods for quantifying evapotranspiration rates at Mesonet sites. To characterize soil moisture and evapotranspiration over heterogeneous land areas by applying appropriate models and ground-based and remotely-sensed spatial data. To determine the degree to which differences in evapotranspiration and soil moisture can explain temporal and spatial variability in winter wheat yields. To develop probabilistic estimates of evapotranspiration and irrigation water requirements for various Oklahoma crops, as a function of climate/weather, soil characteristics, and planting date. To integrate in-situ monitoring and physically-based modeling in a statewide, near-real-time procedure for assessing the severity and spatial extent of drought conditions. (2448)
Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: Ronald L. Elliott
Development of Real-Time Sensor Based Variable Rate Applicators and Systems for Wheat and Other Crops
Design and construct field scale, integral-lighting, high resolution, optical sensor/variable applicators for N fertilizer application at 1-m2 resolution, spot spraying weeds, variably apply other pesticides on wheat, selected vegetables and turf. Work with manufacturers to commercialize sensors and systems. Develop and verify in-season optical sensor based algorithms to predict potential wheat yields and N fertilizer application rates that account for climate and agronomic factors affecting yield potential. Determine the agronomic and economic cost/benefits of the high resolution, integral lighting system compared to other optical sensor based systems. (2453)
Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: John Solie
Exploitation of Micro-Electronics Technology to Enhance Profitability and Minimize Environmental Impacts in Agricultural Systems
Investigate the viability of very low-cost distributed network technology for use in agricultural applications. Initiate a systematic survey of micro-electronics technology focused on identifying technologies that may be exploited for application in agricultural systems. (2468)
Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: Marvin Stone
Determination of Operational Parameters for a Full-Scale Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor (ASBR) Used to Treat Swine Waste
Characterize solids and liquids fractions of raw waste. Determine laboratory scale ASBR operational parameters for optimum gas production and sludge settlability. Determine optimum operating cycle to reach target operating parameters while minimizing overall cycle time for the lab scale ASBR. Optimize operational parameters of full-scale ASBR using data gathered from laboratory scale studies. Determine operational parameters under different temperature conditions. Integrate the ASBR technology into agricultural systems using a mathematical model. (2469)
Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: Jerald Lalman
Develop methods for optimizing measurement of rheological properties of semi-solid foods. Quantify effects of loading normal force on rheological measurement of semi-solid foods. Investigate other potential sources of error during rheological measurement. Characterize food texture for development of new products. Develop improved methods for evaluating textural properties of food products. Quantify relationship between texture analysis parameters and composition for various high fat and high protein foods, specifically meat products. (2473)
Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: Danielle Bellmer
Weather-Related Research and Modeling for Decision Support in Agriculture and Natural Resources
Conduct weather-related research, improve existing weather-based models and products, and develop new ones. Incorporate numerical weather forecast output into existing weather-based models and develop other forecast products. Implement the models and products operationally on the Oklahoma Mesonet. Provide for the effective dissemination of weather-related information to agricultural and natural resources clientele, and educate them with respect to its availability and usefulness. (2477)
Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: J. D. Carlson
Development and Evaluation of TMDL Planning and Assessment Tools and Processes
Develop, improve and evaluate watershed models and other approaches for TMDL development and implementation. Assess potential/likely economic benefits and costs and equity issues associated with TMDL implementation at the watershed and individual landowner scale. Assess the potential ecological benefits/implications of TMDL implementation at watershed level. (2479)
Sponsor: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station
PI: Daniel Storm