Integrative Plant Science Professional Masters Projects
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Item The Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Urban Vegetation Phenology by Local Climate Zone and Urbanization LevelLiu, Ruihan (2025-05)This report is for a capstone project for Cornell MPS, concentration Geospatial Applications, to illustrate mastery of a complex geospatial analysis. It used a wide variety of techniques and tools. The project investigated an important topic in the context of the urban environment under climate variability: the spatial-temporal distribution of vegetation phenology in Beijing, focusing on the impacts of local climate zones (LCZ) and urbanization levels. Using MODIS MCD12Q2 data, we analyzed the start of season (SOS), end of season (EOS), and length of season (LOS) across different urbanization gradients and LCZs. Results reveal that urbanized regions exhibit earlier SOS and longer LOS, while natural areas have a later EOS and shorter LOS. LCZs with lower density buildings tend to have a more extended growing season. These findings underscore the significance of urbanization and LCZ in shaping vegetation phenology, providing valuable insights into climate change adaptation and urban ecological management.Item Traminette: Cold-Climate Adaptability and Sensory IdentityZhang, Yu (2025-05)Traminette, a hybrid grape cultivar developed through a cross between Gewürztraminer and Joannes Seyve 23.416, has emerged as a benchmark for sustainable viticulture in cold-climate regions. Combining high aromatic potential with exceptional resilience, it offers a unique model for both ecological and market adaptability. This poster presents a comprehensive study that integrates a cross-regional viticultural comparison (New York’s Finger Lakes and Northern China’s Heilongjiang) with a controlled sensory evaluation that contrasts Traminette with its vinifera parent, Gewürztraminer. The goal is to contextualize Traminette as a solution for climate-resilient wine production while examining its distinct sensory identity.Item Comparing Traditional Turfgrass Lawns with Native Lawns: An Ecological and Economic PerspectiveTsignadze, Maia (2025-05)Urban landscapes across the United States have long been dominated by traditional turfgrass lawns, which are resource-intensive and offer limited ecological value (Milesi et al., 2005; Robbins & Birkenholtz, 2003). In contrast, native lawns—composed of regionally adapted, low-growing plant species—are gaining attention for their potential to enhance urban sustainability through improved biodiversity, water conservation, and ecosystem services (Tallamy, 2009; Nassauer et al., 2014). This project compares the ecological and economic impacts of traditional turfgrass lawns with native lawns, focusing on establishment and maintenance costs, biodiversity support, water use efficiency, carbon sequestration, and overall ecosystem health. A comparative analysis methodology was employed, integrating secondary data collection, cost comparison, and environmental impact assessment. Data were gathered from industry reports, environmental organizations, and a case study of the Cornell Botanic Gardens Native Lawn Demonstration Project to evaluate key indicators such as chemical inputs, maintenance requirements, and ecosystem services. While turfgrass lawns are often preferred for their aesthetic appeal and cultural familiarity, they are increasingly recognized as ecologically and economically unsustainable in many regions (Polsky et al., 2014). Results indicate that native lawns offer substantial long-term cost savings, greater biodiversity support, and reduced environmental harm due to lower chemical and water input requirements. By evaluating and comparing both systems, this study supports sustainable landscape design and urban planning and promote wider adoption of native lawns in residential and public spaces.Item Optimizing Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Growth: Harnessing the Synergy of Aquaponics through a Split Root SystemMcKay, Casey; Inoue, Yuta; Zayas, Victor; Mattson, Neil; Bridgen, Mark (2024)Integrating hemp cultivation with aquaponics presents a sustainable and efficient approach to enhancing plant growth while supporting fish cultivation. Since hemp’s legalization in the 2018 Farm Bill, there has been little research on indoor cultivation of hemp using aquaponics. This study investigates implementing a split root system with an aquaponics system for hemp cultivation to optimize nutrient absorption and overall plant health. It also explores research on the possibility of a dual decoupled and coupled aquaponics growing technique, known as a multiloop system. The split root system involves dividing the roots into two halves and submerging one half into one treatment bucket and the other half in another treatment bucket. Two controls of a single bucket, one with Hydroponic water and another with Fish water were used to compare growth. Throughout the experiment, plant growth was measured through kite measurements, pH, EC, and chlorophyll content. Post-harvest measurements such as fresh weight, dry weight, root weight, and root area were taken. A single cultivar, TJ’s CBD, will be used to analyze the effects of different root zone treatments. Since hemp recently became legal in the United States, there is almost no research on how hemp is cultivated. This study aims to investigate how well hemp grows in an aquaponics treatment.Item Alternative Sour Rot Management Strategies for Wine GrapesCaldwell, Donald (2024)The Problem: Sour rot is a disease complex that affects grapes during ripening, particularly if they are a tight clustered cultivar, and can render fruit unfit for wine production. Fruit flies are one of the primary vectors in spreading the microorganisms that cause the sour rot disease complex. While insecticides were initially effective against sour rot, repeated use has led to fruit fly populations that are resistant to normally lethal doses of insecticides. Alternative approaches to sour rot disease management, particularly those less prone to resistance development, are being explored; these include trace bloom leaf removal, cuticle strengthening sprays, and UVC applications.Item On-Farm experiment of Nitrogen Use Efficiency ( NUE) on Corn fieldsToure Fatimetou (2023)Agricultural productivity relies on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, yet half of that reactive nitrogen is lost to the environment (Wen et al., 2021). In today’s agriculture, farmers are facing two main challenges: increasing their yield production while reducing their environmental footprint. Nitrogen (N) is a macronutrient required to ensure optimal growth on corn fields. Insufficient nitrogen can lead to yield loss, while its excessive use can result in harmful environmental issues. To face the dilemma, farmers are experimenting with various techniques and new technologies to find an alternative to synthetic N fertilizers. One such alternative is Biological N Fixation that involves genetically modified bacteria capable of fixing nitrogen from the air. This research project aims to support farmers in their experimentation with biologicals by measuring the presence and levels of PivotBio in the soil, a genetically modified bacteria, in their on-farm trials.Item Investigating Supplemental UV-B Doses and Durations in Two High-Cannabinoid Cannabis Sativa L. CultivarsTalan, Matthew (2024-08)This study investigates the effects of supplemental UV-B radiation on two high-cannabinoid Cannabis sativa L. cultivars—CBD-dominant ‘TJs CBD’ and CBG-dominant ‘Janets G’. The experiments examined varying doses and durations of UV-B exposure to assess their impact on plant growth, yield, and cannabinoid concentrations. Despite prior research suggesting potential benefits of UV-B in enhancing secondary metabolite production, the results revealed no significant effects on total cannabinoid content, plant growth metrics, or yield in either cultivar. The study indicates that the chemical profile of the cannabis plant does not substantially influence cannabinoid responses to UV radiation. These findings suggest that UV-B radiation, at the tested levels, does not enhance cannabinoid production in high-CBD and CBG cultivars. Future research could explore different light spectra or cultural management strategies to optimize cannabinoid production and consider UV-B's role in integrated pest management without adverse effects on plant health.Item Louisiana's Rural Community GardensRothschild, Jane Ainsley (2024-08)[Excerpt from introduction] Positive stories of Rural Southern communities are frequently overlooked by scientific literature, media, and the news. The longer these stories remain untold, the more our communities risk being left behind. Sharing stories of community action is not just about spreading hope but also about providing information about resources and steps for community engagement and promoting projects that deserve support. It's crucial that we seek out and listen to those who are doing good work in their communities. Without these stories of resilience, the 'lost-cause' narrative becomes self-fulfilling. The lack of recognition of uplifting projects in rural places can lead to a continued exodus of youth seeking better opportunities elsewhere, a slowdown in investment in our towns, and the worsening of the problems we face.Item Assessing Urban Transformation and Its Impact on the Urban Heat Island Effect in Austin, TexasQin, Yuze (2024-08)This thesis explores the impact of urban transformation on the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in Travis County, Texas, over a decade from 2013 to 2023. Utilizing Landsat 8 satellite imagery, the study focuses on the correlation between Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes and Land Surface Temperature (LST). The analysis reveals significant expansion of built-up areas, primarily at the expense of soil cover, leading to a substantial increase in surface temperatures. Vegetation cover, though decreased, plays a crucial role in mitigating temperature rises. The findings emphasize the need for strategic urban planning to balance development with environmental sustainability, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions like Travis County.Item Orbiting Innovations: Pioneering Satellite technologies reshaping the future of Vineyard ManagmentNi, Wanjia (2024-08)In recent years, advances in satellite technology have significantly impacted vineyard management. Satellite systems like Landsat, Sentinel-2, PlanetScope, and SkySat provide valuable data for monitoring vineyard health, optimizing irrigation, and predicting yields. Landsat and Sentinel-2, with their specific resolutions and revisit intervals, are widely used for vine growth monitoring. Notably, the near-infrared and red band data from Landsat 8 are particularly effective in calculating vegetation indices, such as NDVI, to assess vine growth and detect potential diseases. In contrast, PlanetScope's high-frequency coverage and SkySat's high-resolution imagery offer significant advantages for real-time monitoring and detailed analysis of grapevine health. PlanetScope's daily global coverage allows for frequent monitoring of dynamic environments, while SkySat's 50 cm resolution is ideal for precise disease detection. This makes SkySat particularly effective in the early detection of Grapevine Downy Mildew. The combined use of Skysat and PlanetScope greatly improves the comprehensiveness and accuracy of vineyard disease management. In the future, the accuracy and efficiency of vineyard management will be further improved by combining hyperspectral imaging, microsatellite and artificial intelligence technologies. These technologies will provide more detailed spectral data and higher-frequency monitoring of vineyards, helping to optimize resource allocation, improve grape quality and address the challenges of climate change.