Research Statement

My research focuses on carbon neutrality, soil health, soil C sequestration, cropping systems management, tillage systems, rainfall simulation, optimizing water use efficiency through effective recycling and improve water quality through efficient use of manure and manure–based products, and nutrients, and N fertilizer replacement value in the U.S. Dairy. This includes advanced soil health management systems, such as reduced tillage systems, cover cropping, manure-based products in silage corn, alfalfa/grasses rotations that are practicable, economically viable, and environmentally friendly to attain net zero greenhouse gases emissions, and water quality improvement. Some of the tools/equipment/technologies used in my research are Gas Chamber, LI–COR 7820 and LI–COR 7810 for greenhouse gases emission estimates (N2O flux, and CO2 and CH4 fluxes respectively), SATURO for infiltration at steady state measurement, oxygen sensors, moisture sensors, temperature sensors, and weather stations, Giddings, and trailer rainfall simulation equipment, SoilFlux Pro, SATURO downloader, GPS, SAS, R Software, SharePoint, and Microsoft products etc.

Education

• 2021 Ph.D – Agronomy, Texas A and M University, College Station, Texas, USA
• 2017 M.Sc. – Crop Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
• 2015 B.Sc. – Agricultural Science and Agronomy Engineering, EARTH University, Costa Rica

Publications

Submitted/ In Preparation

• Castillo, M.S., P.E. Bekewe, and R. Rivera. 2021. Clover Frost-Seeding Rate Effects on Productivity and Nutritive Value of Tall Fescue Pastures. Crop Sci. CROP–2021–11–0796–ORA. (Submitted — under review).
• Bekewe, P.E., Jamie L. Foster, Clark B. Neely, Haly L. Neely, Katie L. Lewis, Lauren E. Tomlin, Ronnie W. Schnell, Thomas W. Boutton, and Brandon Gerrish. Cropping System Diversity and Tillage Intensity Affects Wheat Productivity in Texas. (In preparation).
• Bekewe, P.E., Jamie L. Foster, Clark B. Neely, Haly L. Neely, Katie L. Lewis, Lauren E. Tomlin, and Brandon Gerrish. Can Double Cropping and No–Till Systems Impact Soil Physical Properties in Arid and Semi–Arid Regions? (In preparation).

Peer Reviewed Publications

• Bekewe, P. E., M.S. Castillo, J.J. Acosta, and R. Rivera. 2020. Defoliation management effects on nutritive value of "Performer" switchgrass. Crop Sci. doi: 10.1002/csc2.20036.
• Bekewe, P.E., M.S. Castillo, and R. Rivera. 2019. Harvest Management Effects on Canopy Height and Light Interception of "Performer" Switchgrass and its Relationship with Weed Infestation. Crop Sci. 59:1–8 (2019). doi:10.2135/cropsci2018.10.0612.
• Bekewe, P.E., M.S. Castillo, and R. Rivera. 2018. Defoliation Management Affects Productivity, Leaf/Stem Ratio, and Tiller Counts of "Performer" Switchgrass. Agron. J. 110:1467–1472. doi:10.2134/agronj2018.01.0003.

Congress and Meetings:

• Victoria, M., H.R. Leggette, J.L. Foster, H. Neely, C. Neely, K. Lewis, P. E. Bekewe, and J. Parrella. (2021, March 29 — April 2). Adopt What? Describing Louisiana wheat producers level of adoption of soil health management practices [Poster Presentation]. Texas A and M Student Research Week, College Station, TX, United States.
• Victoria, M., H.R. Leggette, J.L. Foster, H. Neely, C. Neely, K. Lewis, P.E. Bekewe, and J. Parrella. (2021, July 26 — 28). Adopt What? Describing Louisiana wheat producers level of adoption of soil health management practices [Poster Presentation]. 76th Soil and Water Conservation Society International Annual Conference, Virtual event.
• Bekewe, P.E., H.L. Neely, C.B. Neely, J.L. Foster, K.L. Lewis, T.W. Boutton, B. Gerrish, and A.J. Gyawali. 2020. Comparing soil health parameters in no-till and conventional tillage farms across three ecoregions in Texas. ASA-CSSA-SSSA 2020 International Meetings, Phoenix, AZ, Nov. 8 — 11. (Abstr.)
• Foster, J.L., P.E. Bekewe, H.L. Neely, C.B. Neely, L.E. Tomlin, and K.L. Lewis. 2020. Wheat double cropping systems to improve soil health [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Soil and Water Conservation International Annual Conference; 2020 Jul. 26 — 29; Des Moines, IA.
• Victoria, M., H.R. Leggette, J.L. Foster, H. Neely, C. Neely, K. Lewis, P. Bekewe, B.J. Gerrish, and J. Parrella. 2020. Minding the microbes: The adoption of soil health management techniques by Oklahoma wheat producers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Soil and Water Conservation International Annual Conference; 2020 Jul. 26 — 29; Des Moines, IA.
• Bekewe, P.E., H.L. Neely, C.B. Neely, J.L. Foster, K.L. Lewis, B. Gerrish, L.E. Tomlin, and T.W. Boutton. 2020. Building Soil Health and Food Security in Wheat-Based Cropping Systems in Texas [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Soil Survey and Land Resource Workshop; 2020 Feb. 6 — 7; College Station, TX.
• Victoria, M., H.R. Leggette, J.L. Foster, H. Neely, C. Neely, K. Lewis, P. Bekewe, B.J. Gerrish, and J. Parrella. 2020. Measuring adoption of soil health practices of wheat producers in Texas [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the National Agricultural Communication Symposium; 2020 Feb. 2 — 3; Louisville, KY.
• Bekewe, P.E., H.L. Neely, C.B. Neely, L.E. Tomlin, J.L. Foster, K.L. Lewis, T.W. Boutton, and B. Gerrish. 2019. Towards Improving Soil Health in Wheat Cropping Systems in Texas [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 31st Annual Texas Plant Protection Conference; 2019 Dec. 10 — 11; Bryan, TX.
• Bekewe, P.E., H.L. Neely, C.B. Neely, L.E. Tomlin, J.L. Foster, K.L. Lewis, and T.W. Boutton. 2019. Can Double Cropping Provide Similar Soil Health Benefits as Cover Cropping in Texas? [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Meetings; 2019 Nov. 10 — 13; San Antonio, TX.
• Bekewe, P.E., H.L. Neely, C.B. Neely, L.E. Tomlin, J.L. Foster, K.L. Lewis, and T.W. Boutton. 2019. The Impact of Reduced Tillage and Double Cropping on Soil Moisture Dynamics [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Meetings; 2019 Nov. 10 — 13; San Antonio, TX.
• Stufflebeam, A., H.L. Neely, P.E. Bekewe, K.L. Lewis, J.L. Foster, and C.B. Neely. 2019. Comparing the Impact of Short-Term Soil Health Practices on Aggregate Stability across Texas [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Meetings; 2019 Nov. 10 — 13; San Antonio, TX.
• Pintar, J.R., A.P. Smith, H.L. Neely, C.B. Neely, J.L. Foster, K.L. Lewis, P.E. Bekewe, A. Joshi Gyawali, and J. Desrochers. 2019. Developing Spatial Sampling Strategies for Monitoring Microbial Activity for Soil Health [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the ASA–CSSA–SSSA International Meetings; 2019 Nov. 10 — 13; San Antonio, TX.
• Bekewe, P.E., H.L. Neely, C.B. Neely, J.L. Foster, K.L. Lewis, B. Gerrish, and T.W. Boutton. 2019. The Impact of Double Cropping and Tillage Systems on Cropping Systems Productivity in Three Ecoregions in Texas [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Small Grains Workers Meeting; 2019 Aug. 28; College Station, TX.
• Bekewe, P.E., H.L. Neely, C.B. Neely, J.L. Foster, K.L. Lewis, and T.W. Boutton. 2019. The Impact of Double Cropping and Tillage Systems on Soil Health in Wheat Cropping Systems in Three Ecoregions in Texas [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Soil Survey and Land Resource Workshop; 2019 Feb. 7 — 8; College Station, TX.
• Bekewe, P. E., H.L. Neely, C.B. Neely, J.L. Foster, K.L. Lewis, and L.E. Tomlin. 2019. Towards Improving Soil Health in Wheat Cropping Systems in Texas [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the SSSA International Meetings; 2019 Jan. 6 — 9; San Diego, CA.
• Bekewe, P. E., M.S. Castillo, A.J. Franzluebbers and M.H. Poore. 2017. Defoliation management effects on productivity, persistence, and nutritive value of "Performer" switchgrass [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Annual Meeting; 2017 Oct. 22 — 25; Tampa, FL.
• Bekewe, P. E., M.S. Castillo. 2017. Defoliation frequency and intensity effects on productivity and persistence of "Performer" switchgrass [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 71th Southern Pasture and Forage Crop Improvement Conference (SPFCIC); 2017 Jun. 5 — 7; Knoxville, TN.
• Bekewe, P. E., M.S. Castillo. 2017. Defoliation management effects on production and persistence of "Performer" switchgrass [abstract]. In: proceedings of the 12th Annual Graduate Student Research Symposium North Carolina State University; 22 Mar. 2017. Raleigh, NC.