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Postgraduate Study

Current Research

Below is a list of some of the research currently taking place at Harper Adams University College. Click on the Research Title to see detailed information:

Animals Department

• 1) Effect of organic and inorganic copper on copper status and performance in dairy cattle 2) Reduction in methane production from dairy cattle
  Dr. Kenton Hart
• Development and application of a life cycle assessment toolkit for the rendering industry
  Angel D. Ramirez
• Dietary strategies to reduce ruminant methane production
  Helen Douglass
  There has been increasing concern regarding methane emissions from cattle and sheep in the UK. The aim of this project is to examine the effects of home grown forages and supplements on methane production in dairy cattle.
• Effect of dietary protein supplements on the incidence of sub clinical necrotic enteritis in broiler flocks
  Chamari Palliyeguru
• Strategies for the disposal of fallen livestock and their applicability to the UK situation
  Marie Kirby
  The aim of this research project is to develop a method of anaerobic digestion that is suitable for the bioreduction of swine carcasses.
• The effects of organically chelated zinc on performance in sheep
  Madeleine Cave
  This research aims to quantify the effects of organic zinc supplements on performance, health and digestibility in sheep, when compared with inorganic zinc supplements.
• The welfare implications of grazing high-yielding dairy cows
  Gemma Charlton
  This project aims to investigate the risks and benefits of grazing in high-yielding dairy cows and to establish optimal options for promoting dairy cow welfare.

Crops Department

• Carbon footprinting
  Dr Anna Aronsson
  The carbon fotoprint of Harper Adams UC has been calculated for 2008. The college emitted approx. 7300 tonnes of CO2 eq. The major emission source was energy consumption and staff commuting followed by food consumption.
• Effects of pre harvest stress on ascorbic acid content in baby leaf spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
  Dr Lars Mogren
• Film anti-transpirants to increase yield of droughted wheat
  Minuka Weerasinghe
  One agronomic approach of improving crop water use efficiency (WUE) is the use of film anti-transpirants to reduce water loss from plants. The aim of this study is to determine an optimum application strategy for film anti-transpirants on wheat.
• Fuel pellet production, handling and combustion of Oilseed Rape Straw Pellets
  Leticia Chico Santamarta
• Fusarium Langsethiae Infection in Cereals
  Nelson Opoku
  The aim of this research is to identify the pathogenicity of Fusarium langsethiae to wheat, oat and barley and to determine the life-cycle of F. langsethiae on UK cereals.
• Integrated Management of Cyst Nematodes in Oilseed rape
  Stephen Kakaire
  The project aims to provide an assessment of the distribution and yield losses caused by cyst nematodes in oilseed rape and offer integrated management advice to minimise current and future crop losses.
• Manipulating post harvest quality and nutritional content of leafy vegetables.
  Marcin Glowacz
• Novel Strategies for Optimising Powdery Mildew Management on Outdoor Curcubits and Protected Herbs
  Dr. Thomas Deliopoulos
  This postdoctoral research project in collaboration with ADAS, UK, is seeking to optimise powdery mildew management on outdoor cucurbits and protected herbs, using inorganic salts and other natural products as components of integrated disease management.
• Optimisation of Bioethanol Yield from Oilseed Rape Straw.
  Anil Mathew
  This research aims to optimise and mathematically model continuous production of bioethanol from oilseed rape straw, using immobilised microorganisms.
• Optimising the efficiency of fungicides in distilling wheat
  Andrew Watson
  This study is designed to investigate the relationships between disease control and green leaf area duration on grain yield and quality for the production of alcohol from winter wheat.
• The use of P.A.S. composts and other recycled materials in green roof media
  Abigail Graceson
• Understanding and regulating pre-maturity alpha amylase (PMAA) in wheat to maintain high Hagberg Falling Number
  Kirtikumar Kondhare
  To investigate the mechanism of PMAA formation and to regulate the PMAA activity by altered hormonal response (ABA &GA) in developing grains

Rural Affairs/Environment Department

• Systematic review as a tool for invasive species surveillance and control
  Helen Bayliss
  This research aims to assess mechanisms for synthesising and sharing invasive species information, such as systematic review.