Temu Vitalis, Ph.D.

Associate Professor - Research 

Phone: (804) 524-6717 Fax: (804) 524-5186

Location: 238 M.T. Carter Bldg

Email: vtemu@vsu.edu

Education 

  • Ph.D. (2011) - Mississippi State University, USA. (Agronomy) 

  • M.S. (2001) - Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania (Agriculture - Animal Science) 

  • B.S. (1997) - Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania (Animal Science) 

  • Assoc. Degree (1990) – Livestock Training Institute – Morogoro, Tanzania (Range Management) 

Research and Teaching Interests 

  • Ecological pasture management in agricultural landscapes 

  • Sustainable forage-based ruminant production 

  • Integrated forage-based parasites control in small ruminants  

  • Ecological plant-soil-animal interactions in grazing lands 

  • Non-conventional feed resources for small ruminant production 

Competitive Grants 

Exploring stinging nettle-alfalfa mixed stands as ecofriendly resources for bioactive parasite control in climate-smart small ruminant production. (PI, USDA-NIFA – $299,792). 

Expanding the Participation of Marginal Producers in Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Practices: 1890 Agroforestry Consortium. (Sub Award PI, USDA-NRCS – $1,152,000

Free-range poultry and grain teff (Eragrostis tef) production (PI, USDA-NIFA – $299,052). 

Azomite trace minerals for better alfalfa production (PI, Azomite Mineral Products Inc. - $56,908).  

Feasibility study on grain teff in Southwest Virginia (PI, VDACS - VAC -$34,918). 

Capacity and infrastructure for hops (Humulus lupulus) research in the mid-Atlantic (Co-PI, USDA-NIFA - $505,000). 

Characterization of Traits for Vegetable and Specialty Soybeans (Co-PI, USDA-NIFA - $416,246). 

 

Selected Publications 

Temu, V.W., Rutto, L.K., and Kering, M.K. (2022). Compensatory Yield Responses of Young Native Warm-Season Grass Stands to Seasonal Changes in Harvest Frequencies. Agronomy, 12(11), 2761. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12112761 

Kering, M.K., Rahemi, A., Temu, V.W., and Rutto L. (2022). Production and bioethanol potentials of seven dryland-developed grain sorghum cultivars in the relatively moist Mid-Atlantic region. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 53.892-901. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2022.2034845

Kusi, N.Y.O., Temu, V.W., Kering, M.K., Atalay, A., Rutto, L.K., and Solomon, J.K.Q. (2021) Growth response of alfalfa to Azomite composite micronutrient fertilizer on four lime-amended Virginia soils. Grassl. Sci. 2020;00:1–9. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/grs.12309 

Rahemi, A., Dhakal, R., Temu, V.W., Rutto, L., and Kering, M.K. 2021. Performance of different-use type industrial hemp cultivars under Mid-Atlantic region conditions. Agronomy. 11:1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11112321   

Temu, V. W., Hession, W. C., Sforza, P., & Wang, H. (2021, October 25-29). Enhanced Grazing Management Assessment Using Drone-Based Lidar Measurements. The XXIV International Grassland Congress / XI International Rangeland Congress. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4 l 64&context=igc. 

Rutto, L.K., V.W. Temu, G. Ferreira, and M.K. Kering (2020). Nutritive Value and in vitro Digestibility of Non-cone Hop (Humulus lupulusl.) Biomass. The Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 30(4): 2020, Page:794-802. https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2020/20203415590.pdf  

Temu, V., Galanopoulos, C., Kering, M. and Rutto, L. (2018). Early Forage Biomass and Sward Structures of Native Warm-Season Grasses Established at Different Seedling Densities. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 9, 832-844. doi: 10.4236/ajps.2018.94064

Kering, M., Temu, V. and Rutto, L. (2017). Nitrogen Fertilizer and Panicle Removal in Sweet Sorghum Production: Effect on Biomass, Juice Yield and Soluble Sugar Content. Journal of Sustainable Bioenergy Systems, 7, 14-26. doi: 10.4236/jsbs.2017.71002

Atiba, E.M., Temu, V.W., Lado, M.M., and Sayre, B. (2016). Meat Quality Characteristics of Goat (Capra hircus) artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus and fed high and low protein diets. Science Letters Vol. 4(3) p203-209. http://thesciencepublishers.com/science_letters/files/v4i3-9-2016067-SL.pdf 

Atiba, E.M., Sayre, B., and Temu, V.W. (2016). Effects of dietary protein supplementation on the performance and non-carcass components of goats artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus. Science Letters Vol. 4(2) p124-130 http://thesciencepublishers.com/science_letters/files/4-v4i2-2016047-SL.pdf 

Temu, V.W., Johnson, D., and Kering, M. (2016). Effects of root-trimming and cutting heights on growth performance of potted forage native warm-season grasses. Journal of Plant Studies, 5(2) p22. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jps.v5n2p22 

Temu, V.W., Kering, M., and Rutto, L. (2016). Effects of planting method on enhanced stand establishment and subsequent performance of forage native warm-season grasses. Journal of Plant Studies, 5(1), p38. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jps.v5n1p38 

Temu, V.W.; Baldwin, B.S.; Reddy, K. R.; and Riffell, S. K. (2015). Harvesting effects on species composition and distribution of cover attributes in mixed native warm-season grass stands. Environments 2, no. 2: 167-185. doi:10.3390/environments2020167 

Temu, V.W.; Baldwin, B.S.; Reddy, K.R.; Riffell, S.; and Burger, L. W. (2014). Wildlife habitat quality (sward structure and ground cover) response of mixed native warm-season grasses to harvesting. Environments 1, no. 1: 75-91. doi:10.3390/environments1010075 

Temu, V.W.; Rude, B.J.; and Baldwin, B.S. (2014). Nutritive value response of native warm-season forage grasses to harvest intervals and durations in mixed stands. Plants 3, no. 2: 266-283. 

Temu, V.W.; B.J. Rude, and B.S. Baldwin, (2014). Yield response of native warm-season forage grasses to harvest intervals and durations in mixed stands. Agronomy, 4, 90-107.doi:10.3390/agronomy4010090 

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