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2025-08-2700 min
Field, Lab, EarthCover Crop Questions with Drs. Joby Czarnecki and Beth Baker"Transitioning from conventional to cover crop systems with minimum tillage does not alter nutrient loading" with Drs. Joby Czarnecki and Beth Baker of Mississippi State University Cover crops are often lauded as agricultural heroes boasting of a variety of ecosystems services and benefits to farmers and the world. But are these crops always the best option and do they always provide benefits wherever they go? In this episode, Joby and Beth join us for a more nuanced look at the benefits of cover crops and how research can make sure farmers are really applying the best strategies...
2023-06-1646 minField, Lab, EarthRecovering Amaranth Seeds from Manure with Drs. Anthony Brusa and Melissa Wilson"Comparison of methods to recover amaranth weed seeds from manure" with Drs. Anthony Brusa and Melissa Wilson, Minnesota State University Palmer Amaranth is a pesky pest that can devastate crops, and when this sneaky pest's seeds creep into animal feed, they can find their way into unsuspecting farmers' fields. This episode, Drs. Anthony Brusa and Melissa Wilson give us the inside scoop on what farmers can do when they find out they've fed their animals contaminated feed. Tune in to learn: · What makes palmer amaranth such a hearty pest · What methods wo...
2023-06-0247 minField, Lab, EarthGlobal Reliance on Corn Belt Dent with Dr. Stephen Smith"Global Dependence Upon Corn Belt Dent Maize Germplasm: Challenges and Opportunities" with Dr. Stephen Smith, Affiliate Professor at Iowa State University Plant breeders are constantly trying to find the best crosses to increase the traits farmers and consumers want. However, continually crossing the same varieties can decrease the genetic gene pool over time, making plants susceptible to certain pests, diseases, and other stressors. To help understand the depth of the gene pool and to better understand how reliant we are on certain crop varieties, Dr. Stephen Smith and his team attempted to survey which maize varieties are...
2023-05-1953 minField, Lab, EarthControlled Freezing Experiments in Perennial Flax with Dr. Neil Anderson"Controlled Freezing Studies as a Corollary Selection Method for Winterhardiness in Perennial Flax (Linum spp.)" with Neil Anderson, Professor & Interim Department Head at the Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota Flax is an important crop worldwide for its many uses, but as with all plants, its global use is limited by the conditions in which it can grow. Enter Neil Anderson, a crop breeder focused on improving many breeding characteristics in flax including winter hardiness. In this episode, Neil joins us to discuss his work using controlled freezing experiments to test the winterhardiness of flax.
2023-04-2151 minField, Lab, EarthDecode 6 with DJ MayThis time, we take a break from our regularly scheduled programming for a brief interview and sample episode from our sister podcast, Decode 6. Contact us at podcast@sciencesocieties.org or on Twitter @FieldLabEarth if you have comments, questions, or suggestions for show topics, and if you want more content like this don't forget to subscribe. If you'd like to see old episodes or sign up for our newsletter, you can do so here: https://fieldlabearth.libsyn.com/. If you would like to reach out to DJ, you can find her here: dmay@sciencesocieties.org
2023-04-0719 minField, Lab, EarthHumor in the Classroom with Dr. Andrés VarholaEpisode Title: Humor in the Classroom with Dr. Andrés Varhola Show notes: ""His lectures were like watching a show on Netflix": A success story of laugh tracks in prerecorded undergraduate lessons" with Dr. Andrés Varhola. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, teachers had to rapidly adapt to new, fully online teaching environments. For Andrés, who had a naturally humorous teaching style, he needed to not only find a way to teach his students well, but to do so in a way that still reflected his personal teaching philosophy. In this episode, And...
2023-03-1752 minField, Lab, EarthThe Roots of Drought Resistance with Dr. Maryse Bourgault and Jessica Williams"Relationships between roots, the stay-green phenotype, and agronomic performance in barley and wheat grown in semi-arid conditions" with Dr. Maryse Bourgault and Jessica Williams. Roots are an important factor in drought-resistance as they are the primary way by which plants uptake the water they need to survive. However, measuring roots can be a difficult, time-consuming, and destructive process. In this episode, we discuss Dr. Maryse Bourgault and Jessica William's work to better understand how drought, root systems, and other traits relate by partnering across studies in greenhouses and the field to study traits that get to the...
2023-02-1743 minField, Lab, Earth3D Fruit Form Reconstruction with Dr. Mitchell Feldmann"Cost-effective, high-throughput phenotyping system for 3D reconstruction of fruit form" with Dr. Mitchell Feldmann Various research and breeding programs study phenotypical traits—or traits that can be discerned via the five senses—to evaluate the quality of their target crops. However, getting data on these traits, often via human-made measurements, can be time-consuming, subjective, and inaccurate, hampering research efforts. This episode of the Field, Lab, Earth podcast, Mitchell discusses his work developing a high-throughput, affordable way to capture one important phenotypical trait: fruit shape. Tune in to learn: Why it's important to accurately measure frui...
2023-01-2053 minField, Lab, EarthOptimizing Industrial Hemp Production with Dr. Josh Freeman"How do pinching and plant density affect industrial hemp produced for cannabinoids in open field conditions?" with Dr. Josh Freeman. Industrial hemp has only recently been re-introduced in American production systems. Therefore, there's a lot to learn about how to best produce this versatile crop in American climates. This episode of the Field, Lab, Earth podcast, Josh discusses his work testing current growing practices to see where improvements can be made. Tune in to learn: What are the two main categories for industrial hemp? Why is it difficult to get new pest management tools...
2022-12-1645 minField, Lab, EarthModeling Water Use in Biofuel Crops with Dr. Alexandria Kuhl"Root Water Uptake of Biofuel Crops Revealed by Coupled Electrical Resistivity and Soil Water Content Measurements" with Dr. Alexandria Kuhl Biofuel crops can be used to create fuel from renewable plant materials. Corn is the most common example, but as research progresses, scientists are looking to expand their biofuel crop pool to include woody perennials and ornamental grasses. These plants have a lot of positives going for them, but with longer growing seasons going head-to-head with decreasing water budgets and increasing food needs, much research is still needed to ensure these biofuel rookies can stand the economic...
2022-12-0247 minField, Lab, EarthLife Cycle Analyses and Greenhouse Gases with Dr. Hoyoung Kwon"Greenhouse gas mitigation strategies and opportunities for agriculture" with Dr. Hoyoung Kwon Agriculture and food systems can be strong contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and, in turn, climate change. However, in the midst of this reality, there are also abundant opportunities to improve our systems, reduce emissions, and move towards a more sustainable future…so long as we can identify those opportunities first. This episode, Hoyoung discusses his work studying agricultural life-cycle analyses to better identify the major inputs and outputs in ag, understand how these contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and develop ways to improve th...
2022-11-1836 minField, Lab, EarthPopping Sorghum Performance with Kent Mitchell"Assessment of Kernel Characteristics to Predict Popping Performance in Grain Sorghum" with Kent Mitchell Popping sorghum is a niche alternative to popcorn, with no large hulls, a neutral flavor, and smaller kernels. While the tasty snack is growing in popularity, much remains to be learned about the practices that can produce the best popping product. This episode, Mitchell discusses his research on finding the best production practices, commercial varieties, and popping quality traits for this up-and-coming snack time star. Tune in to learn: Which qualities can be used to measure popping quality in sorghum...
2022-11-0435 minField, Lab, EarthHalloween Special: Aphids and Hornworms and White Flies, oh my! with Dr. Vikram BaligaIt's Halloween, which means its spooky time. Throughout history, humans have battled some pretty scary pests, from aphids to spider mites, white flies and more. This episode, Vikram Baliga of the Planthropology podcast walks us through some of the scary adaptations these pests have that have made them so effective and progress we've made in fighting back the hordes. Tune in to learn: How plants defend themselves against invaders How each of these spooky pests attack How humans can best protect their plants What Halloween costumes these pests would go as Contact us at podcast...
2022-10-3159 minField, Lab, EarthImproving Edamame with Dr. Bo Zhang"'VT Sweet': A vegetable soybean cultivar for commercial edamame production in the Mid-Atlantic U.S." with Dr. Bo Zhang Edamame, or edible soybean, is a popular snack. However, due to a lack of US specific soybean varieties, domestic production hasn't been able to keep up with consumer demand. In this episode, Bo discusses her work breeding varieties that are better suited to US growing conditions, all while improving characteristics consumers enjoy. Tune in to learn: What are some of the key differences between edamame and soybean What are the relationships between seed size, emergence...
2022-10-2136 minField, Lab, EarthModeling for Climate Change with 2022 World Food Prize Laureate Dr. Cynthia RosenzweigThe World Food Prize was established by Dr. Norman Borlaug and is the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in agriculture. This year's winner is Dr. Cynthia Rosenzweig, whose extensive work in crop modeling, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and activism is helping to prepare the world to combat the effects of climate change. In this episode, Cynthia discusses her work as a crop modeler, her work with farmers, politicians, and other stakeholders, and how we can all work together for lasting change. Tune in to learn: Why NASA is interested in crop modeling on Earth How a foray into...
2022-10-1439 minField, Lab, EarthBiosolids Research in Colorado with Dr. Jim Ippolito"The Clean Water Act and Biosolids: A 45-Year Chronological Review of Biosolids Land Application Research in Colorado" with Dr. Jim Ippolito Biosolids are the human waste products that are managed and produced by wastewater treatment plants. While many simply flush and forget their waste, biosolids can have a variety of advantageous environmental impacts when applied at proper rates and locations. In this episode, as part two of our miniseries on the Clean Water Act, Dr. Jim Ippolito discusses how researchers have utilized these benefits across various land types in Colorado. Tune in to learn:...
2022-09-3051 minField, Lab, EarthA Proactive Approach to Lithium Pollution with Dr. Alex Chow"Proactive Approach to Minimize Lithium Pollution" with Dr. Alex Chow Lithium is a chemical element that has recently gained much attention for its use in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and electronics. However, with recycling and re-use programs still in their infancy, there is a growing concern about potential lithium pollution. This episode, as part of our two-part miniseries on the Clean Water Act, Dr. Alex Chow discusses how we can learn from our past pollution mistakes and have a pro-active approach with this new potential pollutant. Don't forget to listen to the end of the show...
2022-09-1637 minField, Lab, EarthManaging Poultry Manuresheds with Dr. Ray Bryant"Poultry manureshed management: Opportunities and challenges for a vertically integrated industry" with Dr. Ray Bryant Poultry farms are often heavily concentrated in certain areas of the country. This can lead to excessive amounts of nutrient-rich poultry manure in manuresheds with no easy way to return it to the fields that need it. This episode, Ray discusses recent research into how big these manuresheds can grow, how far manure has to travel to reach nutrient sinks, and how we can better balance nutrients in the future. Tune in to learn: How to define a manureshed...
2022-08-1942 minField, Lab, EarthBattling Rice Weeds with Seeding Depth with Dr. Alex Ceseski"Seeding depth effects on elongation, emergence, and early development of California rice cultivars" with Dr. Alex Ceseski. In California, several compounding factors make it difficult for farmers to protect their crops from weeds and algae using traditional weed control methods. Dr. Alex Ceseski and his team and working to fix that. By exploring the viability of drill-seeding in California rice production, they aim to find new solutions to a decades-old herbicide problem. This episode, join us as Alex explains how seeding depth, hearty seedlings, and water management may hold the key to stable sushi rice supplies.
2022-07-1543 minField, Lab, Earth2022 Blooper ReelIt's our blooper reel! Our podcast is turning four this year. As a birthday treat, enjoy bloopers from our last orbit around the sun. Want to get us a birthday treat in return? Rate and review us on your favorite podcast app or platform. Contact us at podcast@sciencesocieties.org or on Twitter @FieldLabEarth if you have comments, questions, or suggestions for show topics, and if you want more content like this don't forget to subscribe. If you'd like to see old episodes or sign up for our newsletter, you can do so here: https://fieldlabearth.libsyn...
2022-06-2209 minField, Lab, EarthOptimizing Food-Feed Production in Smallholder Systems with Dr. Peter Thorne"Redesigning traditional weed management practices in faba bean fields to optimize food-feed production in the smallholder system" with Peter Thorne. Researchers work hard to develop best practices and recommendations for farmers. However, cultural practices may affect how farmers do or are able to implement these recommendations on their farms. This episode, Peter discusses his work bridging the gap between researcher recommendations and farmer needs in smallholder Ethiopian farms. Tune in to learn: What kinds of farmer requirements may impact researcher recommendations How regional traits can impact farmer implementations What to consider when balancing food-feed...
2022-06-1740 minField, Lab, EarthPicking on Nitrogen Rates with Drs. Brian Arnall, Josh McGrath, and Wade ThomasonThere are multiple tools for farmers to work with when deciding Nitrogen recommendation rates. All of them operate on the spectrum between mechanistic and empirical approaches. In this episode of the Field, Lab, Earth podcast, Drs. Brian Arnall, Josh McGrath, and Wade Thomason discuss the key differences between these approaches, how they interact with accuracy and precision, how they intertwine with each other, future research for recommendation tools, and how farmers can best make decisions for their farms. Tune in to learn: What the difference is between accuracy and precision What the difference is between mechanistic and empirical...
2022-06-0358 minField, Lab, EarthMaize Breeding for Protein-Restricted Diets with Matthew Woore, Dr. Sherry Flint-Garcia, and Dr. James Holland"The Potential to Breed a Low-Protein Maize for Protein-Restricted Diets" with Matthew Woore, Dr. Sherry Flint-Garcia, and Dr. Jim Holland Phenylketonuria is a metabolic disorder which results in a need for a strict low-protein diet. This restricts the intake of corn and many corn-based foods. This episode, Smitty, Sherry, and Jim discuss their work developing a low-protein corn variety so that individuals with Phenylketunoria can enjoy more corn-based foods. Tune in to learn: Which types of crosses produce the best results How breeders can test kernels for protein How low protein can go in...
2022-05-2048 minField, Lab, EarthSoil Sensing on Mars with Drs. Doug Cobos and Colin CampbellIn 2008, NASA launched their Phoenix Lander to take measurements on Mars. This episode, Drs. Doug Cobos and Colin Campbell talk about their experiences working with NASA and the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), what they were measuring, and what their data can tell us about Mars. Tune in to learn: The challenges involved in creating sensors for extraterrestrial environments What measurements NASA wanted to learn The difficulties of remote controlling devices on Mars What their results tell us about Mars If you would like to find transcripts for this episode or sign up for our newsletter...
2022-05-061h 01Field, Lab, EarthUrban Food Forests with Dr. James Allen"Urban food forests in the American Southwest" with Dr. James Allen. Food forests are multi-level polycultures where fruit and nut trees, vegetables, shade trees, mushrooms, aquatic plants, and more can all exist in the same urban or rural space. They're known to have many benefits, both environmentally and socially; however, in more arid climates like the American Southwest, there are a few hurdles urban agroforesters must overcome. In this episode, Dr. Jim Allen discusses a recent survey of Southwestern food forests and how these mini-oases are learning to thrive in more arid climates. Tune in...
2022-04-1549 minField, Lab, EarthMultifunctional Agroforestry with Dr. Sarah Lovell"Agroforestry at the Landscape Level" with Dr. Sarah Lovell Agroforestry is where trees are grown alongside other crops or livestock. It's an extremely flexible practice that can be adapted to both urban and rural environments and at a variety of scales. In this episode, Dr. Sarah Lovell discusses the various uses and forms of agroforestry, how agroforestry can benefit both farmers and their surrounding communities, and some tips for implementing agroforestry at scale. Tune in to learn: What are the main functions of agroforests? What roadblocks might farmers face to implementing agroforestry? How can...
2022-03-1845 minField, Lab, EarthMicroplastic Movement through the Soil with Yingxue Yu"Current understanding of subsurface transport of micro- and nanoplastics in soil" with Yingxue Yu. Microplastics can come from all kinds of sources, including broken down bottles, face and body scrubs, plastic bags, tire tracks, agricultural mulch films, sewage waste, and more. However, for as ubiquitous as these plastics can be, there's still much to be learned about how they move through our soils; how they're affected by their surrounding soils, weather, and animals; and their ultimate environmental impacts. This episode, Yingxue shares research from her recent review paper about what microplastic knowledge we already have and where...
2022-02-1839 minField, Lab, EarthProfitable Nitrogen Rates for Corn with Dr. Carrie LaboskiNitrogen is an important nutrient for corn which, when applied as a fertilizer, can increase yields. However, too much nitrogen can lead to negative impacts on human health, water quality, plant health, and the environment. This episode, Carrie discusses her work testing nitrogen rate recommendation tools and how we can best balance profitability, plant health, and the environment. Tune in to learn: What goes on the scales to determine a profitable rate What kinds of tools can be used to recommend Nitrogen fertilizer rates Which tools work best for recommending Nitrogen fertilizer rates How the research team was...
2022-01-2050 minField, Lab, EarthSalt-Affected Roadside Grasses with Dr. Eric Watkins"Review of cool-season turfgrasses for salt-affected roadsides in cold climates" with Dr. Eric Watkins. Salt is commonly spread on roads in colder regions to help keep them clear of dangerous ice. However, salted roads can pose some environmental risks. Roadside turfgrasses can help alleviate some of those problems, but drought, heat, salt, ice, and more can mean a roadside is not always the happiest place for grass to grow. This episode, Dr. Eric Watkins walks us through some of the harsh conditions roadside turfgrasses face, the pros and cons of several popular grasses, and how we can...
2021-12-1741 minField, Lab, EarthTurfgrass Greenhouse Gas Emissions with Drs. Quincy Law and Jon Trappe"Greenhouse gas fluxes from turfgrass systems: Species, growth rate, clipping management, and environmental effects" with Drs. Quincy Law and Jon Trappe Greenhouse gases are naturally occurring gases that contribute to climate change. These gases, like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane, are both absorbed and produced by turfgrasses; however, it is possible that choosing the right grass species and management practices can help reduce emissions. In this episode, Drs. Quincy Law and Jon Trappe discuss two experiments in which they tried to pinpoint which grass species and management practices are most effective at reducing greenhouse gas emissions...
2021-11-1944 minField, Lab, EarthHalloween Special: Boll Weevils with Paul CsomoBoll weevils are an agricultural pest that feeds primarily on cotton. After their arrival in the 1890s, they caused devastation across the South-Eastern United States, starting a battle that's raged for more than 130 years. This episode, Paul Csomo of the award-winning Varmints! podcast joins us to discuss these creatures, their adaptions, and their agricultural history. Tune in to learn: How many types of weevils are in the world How boll weevils shaped agriculture in the South-Eastern United States How scientists, farmers, and government agencies united to eradicate the boll weevil threat How boll weevils have slipped...
2021-10-3137 minField, Lab, EarthIntercropping Macadamia Nuts and Coffee with Professor Rogério Soratto"Macadamia intercropping into an inefficient adult coffee plantation is economically advantageous" with Rogério Soratto. Macadamia nuts are a lucrative crop for Brazilian farmers, but long wait times from planting to production can cause financial strain when first planting them. This episode, Rogério Soratto discusses his work researching intercropping coffee and macadamia nuts, which can help ease financial stress and lead to higher economic efficiency for both crops. Tune in to learn: What are the barriers to macadamia nut farming How can intercropping these two plants ease financial strain How can intercropping these tw...
2021-10-1536 minField, Lab, EarthThe FAO Strategic Framework with Ismahane ElouafiThe Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been fighting hunger for more than 75 years. The FAO Strategic Framework 2021-2030 articulates FAO's vision of a sustainable and food secure world for all. Ismahane Elouafi, Chief Scientist for the FAO, joins us to discuss this strategy, the various components and accelerators designed to support it, and the various initiatives already underway to end hunger once and for all, leaving no-one behind. Tune in to learn: What is an SDG What the four "betters" of the FAO strategic framework are How four accelerators can help...
2021-10-0141 minField, Lab, EarthCrops and Man with Drs. Thomas Stalker and Marilyn WarburtonHarlan's Crops and Man with Drs. Thomas Stalker and Marilyn Warburton Humans and the crops they use have co-evolved across the centuries. This episode, Drs. Thomas Stalker and Marilyn Warburton discuss three major periods of time within this relationship as well as misconceptions we might have about our predecessors and where we're headed next. Tune in to learn: How hunter gatherer societies interacted with the plants around them How hunters and gatherers differ from our usual expectations How humans transitioned from hunter gatherer to more industrialized societies What our relationships with crops look like...
2021-09-1752 minField, Lab, EarthThe Circular Bionutrient Economy with Dr. Rebecca NelsonWhen nutrients are taken up in the field, they often find their way into the fruits and vegetables that we enjoy. But once we eat them, how can they get back to the fields for future crops? This episode, Rebecca will discuss her work in returning nutrients from human waste back into the soil. Tune in to learn: How nutrients can be returned back to the soil after human consumption How these systems can be applied at varying levels of scale What obstacles exist to implementing these programs How rethinking our modern techniques can help our...
2021-09-0344 minField, Lab, EarthBridging the Farm to Research Gap with Heather Hampton+KnodleResearch is crucial for the advancement of agriculture. However, research solutions must also be feasible for the farmers who will be implementing them. This episode, Heather Hampton+Knodle will discuss her many hats in the worlds of agriculture, policy, and research solutions, as well as her journey as a farmer and research collaborator. Tune in to learn: How getting everyone in the room together can benefit agriculture How precision agriculture is opening new doors for collaborative research What factors farmers consider when implementing solutions Why you need to leave pride at the door If you...
2021-08-2051 minField, Lab, EarthRegenerative Agriculture and The Living Soil Handbook with Jesse FrostThe Living Soil Handbook with Jesse Frost. Regenerative agriculture focuses on improving soil health by disturbing the soil as little as possible, keeping the ground covered as much as possible, and keeping the ground planted as much as possible. In this episode, farmer Jesse Frost of the No-Till Market Garden podcast walks us through these three tenets, how they can help farmers, and how researchers and growers can better connect. Tune in to learn: How we can better define tillage Why farming is like a choose-your-own adventure How these three tenets can help improve...
2021-08-0653 minField, Lab, EarthRegenerative Agriculture and IPM with Dr. Thomas GreenIntegrated pest management, or IPM, is a system by which pests are controlled using informed decision-making techniques. Regenerative agriculture is an approach to farming that focuses on soil health and environmental recovery. In this episode, Tom Green finishes out our five part mini-series on IPM by walking us through how these two systems can work together to improve soil health, reduce pests, and help improve farmer profits. Tune in to learn: What are some of the main tenets of regenerative agriculture? What are some of the obstacles regenerative ag researchers face? How can regenerative ag boost...
2021-07-1651 minField, Lab, EarthLake-Dredged Sediments and Soil Health with Dr. Angélica Vázquez-Ortega and Russell Brigham"Assessing the Effects of Lake-Dredged Sediments on Soil Health: Agricultural and Environmental Implications on Northwestern Ohio" with Angélica Vázquez-Ortega and Russell Brigham Shipping accounts for a large portion of the Ohio economy. Channels therefore need regular dredging to keep shipping channels clear. In the past, such sediments were often released back into Lake Erie. However, as this can cause environmental problems, the Ohio legislature banned the practice of open dumping in Lake Erie in 2020, creating quite the sticky situation for dredging teams. Enter Dr. Angélica Vázquez-Ortega and Russell Brigham, two researchers working to find...
2021-07-0144 minField, Lab, Earth2021 Blooper Reel and Listener SurveyHappy birthday, everybody! Today is our third birthday, and we couldn't be happier. We're so grateful to all of our guests and to you, dear listener! Whether you're brand new or have been with us since the beginning, we're so grateful for all of your listening and support over the years. Thank you for listening! Please note, we've also put together a brief listener survey, located here. Tell us all about the things you like, the things you don't like, and where you'd like to see the show go in coming years. It would really help us...
2021-06-2214 minField, Lab, EarthEarthworms and the Ozark Highlands with Dr. Kristofor Brye"Earthworm density differences over time among a native tallgrass prairie and chronosequence of tallgrass prairie restorations in the Ozark Highlands" and "Seasonal earthworm density differences among mound positions and soil moisture regimes in native tallgrass prairies in the Ozark Highlands" with Dr. Kristofor Brye Earthworms are praised as environmental engineers and their health can be tightly linked with both soil health and soil benefits like carbon sequestration, attributes which are of crucial importance when taking on projects like prairie restoration. It is therefore key to understand the soil properties and environments which are most beneficial to earthworm...
2021-06-1850 minField, Lab, EarthFieldwork Ready with Dr. Sara VeroFieldwork Ready with Dr. Sara Vero. Fieldwork and lab work are two sides of the same scientific coin. However, when preparing for fieldwork, there are many things to consider that don't come up in a lab. This episode, we talk with Dr. Sara Vero about her new book, Fieldwork Ready, which covers anything from the practical ins and outs of common fieldwork processes and equipment, health and safety issues, and things to consider before going out into the field. Tune in to learn: Why rest matters for fieldwork Questions to ask before starting fieldwork...
2021-05-2139 minField, Lab, EarthSustainable Ag Supply Chains and IPM with Justin Krick, Kate Schaffner, and Ben WickerhamSustainable farming systems are critical for all of us, from producers to consumers. It's therefore important for the full supply chain–from food companies and ingredient suppliers, to farm service providers, to CCAs, and farmers–to support sustainable agriculture practices, many of which can have a beneficial impact on pest management. This episode, we dive into the partnerships and work being done towards these goals between The Nature Conservancy, Star of the West Milling Company, the Kellogg Company, and producers in Michigan's Saginaw Bay region. Tune in to learn: The differences between Pay for Practice and Pay...
2021-04-1652 minField, Lab, EarthThe History of Seed Banks with Dr. Helen Anne CurrySeed banks are collections of seeds that researchers use to protect valuable genetic resources both for breeding and conservation purposes. But where did they get started and how have they become what they are today? On this episode, Dr. Helen Anne Curry will guide us through the history of seed banks, including their origins, the various phases of their development, and their ongoing role today. Tune in to learn: What seed banks are and what they can look like around the world What controversies and challenges seed banking has faced How seed banks have moved from...
2021-03-2244 minField, Lab, EarthNikolai Vavilov with Dr. Joel Cohen"Varietal Timelines and Leadership Challenges Affecting the Legacy of Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov" with Dr. Joel Cohen Nikolai Vavilov was an agronomist and seed collector whose life spanned the regimes of Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin. These were years plagued by extreme famine, especially in the Ukraine. Vavilov strove to follow Mendelian science and practices to improve plant breeding programs, seed conservation, and food security. He travelled to and collected seed from over 50 countries in his lifetime and was the founder of one of the world's oldest seed banks; however, he died defamed and imprisoned, with his name...
2021-03-2247 minField, Lab, EarthPreserving the Pest Control Toolkit with Dr. Bryan Ulmer"IPM Toolkit Preservation" with Dr. Bryan Ulmer. Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is a system by which pests are controlled using informed decision-making techniques. These techniques are many are varied, but so are the threats to their continued use. This episode, for the third episode in our IPM miniseries, Bryan will walk us through the types of tools in the IPM toolkit, the kinds of threats they face, and how we can protect these valuable pest management resources. Tune in to learn: What tools are in the pest control toolkit What are the major...
2021-03-1938 minField, Lab, EarthThe Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster with Dr. Dan Ferreira"The Impact of pH and Ion Exchange on 133Cs Adsorption on Vermiculite" with Dr. Dan Ferreira. On March 11, 2011, a massive earthquake and tsunami led to the explosion of three nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The explosions resulted in radioactive particles being released into the air, which eventually settled on neighboring soils. Dr. Ferreira has been working for half a decade to study these soils, including the bonds forged between these materials, the strength of those bonds, and, most importantly how to break them. Tune in to learn: What happened during...
2021-03-0552 minField, Lab, EarthCover Crops and IPM with Dr. Christopher Proctor"Using Cover Crops as an IPM Tool for Managing Hard-to-Control Weeds" with Dr. Christopher Proctor. Cover crops are crops grown between cash crops like corn, wheat, and soybean that provide valuable ecosystem services—or ecosystem benefits—to the surrounding crops and soils. With the rise of herbicide resistant weeds, however, cover crops are also finding new uses in the field of weed suppression. Dr. Chris Proctor joins us this episode to discuss cover crops' roles in weed suppression and how these valuable crops tie in with the larger picture of integrated pest management (IPM). Tune in t...
2021-02-1942 minField, Lab, EarthAg Literacy with Brendan BlackAg Literacy is defined as having a basic knowledge of how food and fiber systems work. However, many consumers today do not understand these systems and processes. Brendan Black, host of the Talk Ag to Me podcast, is working to change that, serving as a translator between agriculture specialists and the general public. This episode, as part of a podcast exchange with Brendan's show, we discuss his journey into agriculture, barriers to ag introduction and retention, strategies for communicating ag, and more. Tune in to learn: How Brendan found his way into agriculture The "EASE"-y...
2021-02-0544 minField, Lab, EarthSustainable Agriculture Programs in the USA and EU with Dr. Scott Hutchins"Sustainable Agriculture in the U.S. vs. the EU: A Comparative Look at Different Approaches to Similar Objectives" with Dr. Scott Hutchins Government officials in both the United States and the European Union agree that sustainable agriculture is an important and necessary topic today. However, there are many and differing opinions on how to secure sustainability. Today, Dr. Hutchins will discuss two approaches proposed by these different regions, the U.S. Agriculture Innovation Agenda and the Farm to Fork Strategy in Europe, including their goals, their strategies to reach them, and how they can work together to...
2021-01-2239 minField, Lab, EarthField Drawing in Natural Sciences with Bethann Garramon Merkle"Drawn to natural history: Enhancing field courses with drawing and field journal instruction" with Bethann Garramon Merkle. Field drawing has long been used as a method of documentation and observation in the natural sciences. However, more technologically advanced documentation tools, perceived dichotomies between artistic and scientific capabilities, and low artistic confidence in both students and instructors have resulted in declining interest and usage of field drawing as a skill. Can the value of field drawing be revived? How can these mental barriers be challenged and overcome? Bethann's been working hard to find out. Tune in...
2021-01-0150 minField, Lab, EarthHolistic IPM with Dr. Thomas GreenIntegrated pest management, or IPM, is a system by which pests are controlled using informed decision-making techniques such as pest monitoring and pest thresholds, instead of regular, scheduled pesticide use. Holistic IPM takes things to the next level beyond that, incorporating economic, social, and other advanced systems into the decision-making process. In this episode, Tom will walk us through all things IPM, including holistic IPM facets, techniques, success stories, and future research. Tune in to learn: What sparked the change from scheduled pesticides to IPM What are some common IPM and holistic IPM techniques How holistic...
2020-12-1842 minField, Lab, EarthPollen-Mediated Popcorn Gene Flow with Dr. Amit Jhala and Dr. Ethann Barnes"Risk assessment of pollen-mediated gene flow from Ga1-m field corn to dent-sterile Ga1-s popcorn" with Dr. Amit Jhala and Dr. Ethann Barnes. Popcorn accounts for a small portion of the corn grown in the United States. It is therefore important to protect popcorn varieties from cross-pollination with other field corn varieties. Up until now, genetic differences have protected popcorn from field corn cross-pollination. However, the introduction of certain Mexican maize varieties into the corn breeding pool for desirable traits has also introduced the potential risk for corn plants that are genetically compatible with popcorn cross-pollination...
2020-12-0436 minField, Lab, Earth'Butta-12' Malting Barley with Lynn Gallagher and Ron Silberstein"Registration of 'Butta 12', A Two-Row Malting Barley Adapted to the California Central Valley with Proven Floor-Malting Success and Craft Brewer Acceptance" with Lynn Gallagher and Ron Silberstein California is a prime location for craft brewers and microbreweries. However, fungi and virus disease susceptibility have made it difficult for many barley varieties (such as those used for the malt used in beer and whiskey production elsewhere) to thrive in California's Central Valley. Lynn Gallagher has spent twenty years developing disease and fungi resistant malting barley varieties. Working with UC Davis, USDA, and Ron Silberstein of Admiral Maltings...
2020-11-2044 minField, Lab, EarthHalloween Special: Locusts with Ellen WeatherfordLocusts are one of the most damaging agricultural pests in the world, causing problems since ancient times all the way up until today. This episode, we talk with Ellen Weatherford of the Just the Zoo of Us podcast to learn more about these frightening insects for a special Halloween special. Tune in to learn: How Ellen would rate locusts on effectiveness, ingenuity, aesthetics, and spookiness on a 1-10 scale. What makes locusts such problematic animals. How humans have learned to fight back against these agricultural nemeses. What locusts would look like if they were an actual...
2020-10-3145 minField, Lab, EarthSoil Health with 2020 World Food Prize Laureate Dr. Rattan LalThe World Food Prize is awarded to those who have made outstanding contributions to food and food security around the world. The brainchild of Nobel Laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug, it was founded in 1986 and is the foremost international award for those in these fields. Dr. Rattan Lal is the 2020 World Food Prize Laureate for his continent-spanning work with climate change and holistic soil health. This episode, we talk with Dr. Lal about his life, career, and the soil health lessons he's learned along the way. Tune in to learn: The importance of animals like earthworms, termites...
2020-10-1657 minField, Lab, EarthDr. Norman Borlaug with Julie Borlaug, Dr. Ronnie Coffman, and Dr. Ed RungeDr. Norman Borlaug was an American agronomist who specialized in wheat breeding. Known as the Father of the Green Revolution, he helped other hunger fighters save hundreds of thousands of lives in Mexico, India, Pakistan, and other countries throughout his long and varied career. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 and founded the World Food Prize to celebrate other food fighters worldwide. This episode we speak with his granddaughter and colleague Julie Borlaug and fellow colleagues Dr. Ronnie Coffman and Dr. Ed Runge to discuss the "Man who Fed the World." Listen to learn: What...
2020-10-021h 40Field, Lab, EarthCarrot Stress Tolerance and Wild Relative Breeding with Dr. Philipp Simon"Tapping into Wild Carrot Diversity for New Sources of Abiotic Stress Tolerance to Strengthen Carrot Pre-Breeding in Bangladesh and Pakistan" with Dr. Philipp Simon. Carrots are a diverse crop that grows worldwide. Packed with nutrients and flavor, many of its wild relatives also carry important traits such as resistance to abiotic stresses like drought, heat, or salinity. These traits can be crucial as we look at how to feed our growing population; however, without growing these carrot wild relatives under these stressful conditions, it can be difficult to pinpoint which varieties carry which traits. Partnering with scientists...
2020-09-1845 minField, Lab, EarthCOVID-19, Agricultural Research, and Food Supply Chains with Dr. Gary Pierzynski"Research and Funding in the Time of COVID‐19" with Dr. Gary Pierzynski. The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption worldwide, with research projects, schools, grocery stores, and more all impacted. Dr. Gary Pierzynski, the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University, has seen much of this disruption in his day to day work and the research conducted across the college. This episode, we discuss the current and predicted impacts of COVID-19 in agriculture, agricultural research, food supply chains, and more. Listen to...
2020-09-0433 minField, Lab, EarthSports Field and Athlete Interactions with Dr. Chase Straw"A Review of Turfgrass Sports Field Variability and Its Implications on Athlete-Surface Interactions" with Dr. Chase Straw. Sports scientists study how athletes perform during exercise and how that affects the body. Turfgrass scientists study how to improve and maintain the health of turfgrass. But what happens when you combine the two? Dr. Chase Straw's review paper decided to find out, searching out research that combines both fields to better understand athlete biomechanics, physiology and perceptions, performance, and injuries. Listen in to find out: How combining player, lab, and field data can increase player performance...
2020-08-2144 minField, Lab, EarthWild Pig Impacts on Water Quality with Dr. John Brooks"A preliminary investigation of wild pig (Sus scrofa ) impacts in water quality" with Dr. John Brooks. Wild pigs are an invasive species that impact at least thirty-five states in the United States with a population of approximately six million and growing. With few natural predators and a high reproduction rate, they are a highly mobile species that can contaminate local waters with soil, fecal materials, and even disease. But can they carry antimicrobial resistance as well? Dr. John Brooks and his team worked with other researchers who are modeling pig behaviors and ecology in order to help...
2020-07-1736 minField, Lab, Earth2020 Blooper ReelIt's our second birthday today, which means we're releasing a second blooper reel. We are now also offering continuing education unit (CEU) quizzes for all past, full-length episodes. If you are a certified crop advisor or certified professional soil scientist, you can purchase them on an individual basis or as part of your online classroom subscription. For a full list of the available podcast quizzes, please see this page: https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/education/classroom/classes/by-category#category28 For more information about the online classroom subscription, please go here: https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/education/classroom...
2020-06-2209 minField, Lab, EarthOyster Aquaculture with Chelsea Duball"Impacts of Oyster Aquaculture on Subaqueous Soils and Infauna" with Chelsea Duball. Oysters are praised as ecosystem engineers, not only for their filter feeding, which draws particulate matter and nutrients out of the water, but also for their ability to create natural structures in the wild that can protect against storm surges on the coasts. But, as they expel excess nutrients that they don't use, is there a potential for an environmental tradeoff, either in soil health or on the other creatures that live within these ecosystems? Chelsea Duball and her team studied oysters in Rhode Island...
2020-06-1938 minField, Lab, EarthWater Retention Products on Home Lawns with Vikram Baliga"Evaluation of Water Retention Products to Conserve Urban Water Resources in Home Lawns" with Vikram Baliga. Water retention products are designed to help turfgrasses conserve water. But as water conservation becomes an issue of ever greater importance, it is important not only to know which of these products to use, but also how best to use them within larger water conservation initiatives. Enter Vikram Baliga and his team. In the field, they compared four different water retention products to see which performed best under harsh, drought like conditions. In tandem, they also sent out surveys to homeowners...
2020-05-1543 minField, Lab, EarthOil Spill Remediation in North Dakota with Dr. Tom DeSutter and Sam Croat"Crop Production on Heavily Disturbed Soils following Crude Oil Remediation" with Dr. Tom DeSutter and Sam Croat. When an oil spill occurs on land, there are myriad ways to approach cleanup, from adding oxidizers or nutrients to speed natural processes, burning off surface oil, replacing contaminated top soil with top soil from other regions, or even just removing the soil to a landfill. When an oil spill in 2013 contaminated Steve and Patty Jensen's land with ~860,000 gallons of Bakken crude oil, Dr. Tom DeSutter and then student Sam Croat tested soil mixing and thermal desorption methods, working with...
2020-04-1738 minField, Lab, EarthThe Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill with Drs. John White and John Pardue"Crude Oil Effects on Redox Status of Salt Marsh Soil in Louisiana" with Dr. John White. Also featuring Dr. John Pardue. Ten years ago, on April 20th, the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded, killing eleven crewmen and releasing about five million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding environment over the next 87 days. Drs. John White and John Pardue have spent much of their careers focusing on the effects of oil on the environment and ways to speed recovery efforts after spills. Join us as we discuss their papers on the relationships between...
2020-04-0333 minField, Lab, EarthTop Ten Plants with Dr. Mary Meyer and Dr. Natalie Bumgarner"Top 10 Plants: Increasing Awareness of Plants" with Dr. Mary Hockenberry Meyer and Dr. Natalie Bumgarner. Plant blindness is the inability to "see" the plants around us, that is, to recognize them as separate and important pieces of our surroundings beyond their roles as general background or landscape. But for those who do "see" plants and their varied species, how can they communicate that information and passion to those around them? One potential answer? Lists. Drs. Mary Meyer and Natalie Bumgarner are pioneers in this technique, both coordinating with local partners, experts, media, and the public to spearhead...
2020-03-2043 minField, Lab, EarthPlant Blindness in Children's Art with Drs. Christina Hargiss and Paula Comeau, pt. 2"Analysis of Children's Drawings to Gain Insight into Plant Blindness" with Dr. Christina Hargiss and Dr. Paula Comeau Plant blindness is a phenomenon that, despite its name, has nothing to do with whether or not plants can see. It is actually defined as our inability to see or value the plants around us. Interdisciplinary researchers Drs. Christina Hargiss and Paula Comeau have spent a lot of time digging down to the "roots" of this problem, with research touching anything from psychology to history, cryptography, literature, art and more. This episode, we discuss their work studying plant blindness...
2020-03-0440 minField, Lab, EarthPlant Blindness in Children's Art with Drs. Christina Hargiss and Paula Comeau, pt. 1"Analysis of Children's Drawings to Gain Insight into Plant Blindness" with Dr. Christina Hargiss and Dr. Paula Comeau Plant blindness is a phenomenon that, despite its name, has nothing to do with whether or not plants can see. It is actually defined as our inability to see or value the plants around us. Interdisciplinary researchers Drs. Christina Hargiss and Paula Comeau have spent a lot of time digging down to the "roots" of this problem, with research touching anything from psychology to history, cryptography, literature, art and more. This episode, we discuss their work studying plant blindness...
2020-03-0429 minField, Lab, EarthNutrient Cycling in Organic Systems with Dr. Erin SilvaIn North America, standards for soil health and fertility in organic systems are regulated at the federal level. But for those transitioning to organic farming, it can be difficult to know how to meet those standards without access to the same toolkit they used while practicing conventional farming. Join us and moderator Chris Boomsma in this last installment of our four part series on transitioning to organic farming, where we discuss tips and trends to organically manage soil health, fertility, and biology, as well as some closing thoughts from series moderator Dr. Erin Silva. Tune in to...
2020-02-2140 minField, Lab, EarthThe Organic Systems Mindset with Tom FrantzenTom Frantzen has been in organic agriculture for thirty years with his wife Irene in Iowa. Join us and host Dr. Erin Silva for part three of our four part series on transitioning to organic farming, where we'll discuss his introduction and transition to organic farming, lessons he's learned, the values and disciplines he treasures, and the changes he's seen in organic farming over the decades. Tune in to learn more about: The benefits of holistic management Why it's important to match what you value and what you do How owning and caring for livestock can...
2020-02-2136 minField, Lab, EarthOrganic Basics and Business Operations with Anders Gurda and Paul DietmannThe organic industry generates 50 billion dollar a year. But if you're looking at transitioning into organic farming, where do you begin? Anders Gurda and Paul Dietmann work with organic farmers every day. Join us with host Dr. Erin Silva for part two of our four part series on transitioning to organic farming, where we discuss how to improve your organic business, how to navigate the financials of switching, and where to find the best buyers for your grains. Listen in to learn: How teaming up with your fellow organic farmers can improve your business What barriers...
2020-02-2137 minField, Lab, EarthOrganic Certifications with Harriet BeharEpisode Title: Organic Certifications with Harriet Behar Show notes: Getting organically certified is one of the first and most important steps to transitioning to organic farming, but how does one actually go about it? Harriet Behar has worked in organic systems for over thirty years and is an expert on the regulations, processes, and requirements for getting organically certified. Join us and host Dr. Erin Silva as we discuss this crucial process in part one of our four part series on transitioning to organic farming. Tune in to learn more about: What...
2020-02-2134 minField, Lab, EarthGenome-Wide Association Studies in Apples with Dr. Zoë Migicovsky and Dr. Carsten Pedersen"Genome-Wide Association Studies in Apple Reveal Loci for Aroma Volatiles, Sugar Composition, and Harvest Date" with Dr. Zoë Migicovsky, Dr. Carsten Pedersen Apple breeding can take a long time. Because each seed is the progeny of two different trees and each tree takes five to six years to produce its first fruits, breeders can be waiting years, if not decades, to see the results of their hard work. Drs. Zoë Migicovsky and Carsten Pedersen are working to change that. By comparing the genomes of varying apple cultivars and their phenotypic data (traits you can discern via the fi...
2020-01-1737 minField, Lab, EarthWinter Phosphorus Release in Cover Crops with Dr. Merrin Macrae"Winter Phosphorus Release from Cover Crops and Linkages with Runoff Chemistry" with Dr. Merrin Macrae Cover crops can offer a variety of ecosystem services, including reducing soil erosion. However, in colder climates, where cover crops can freeze and die over the winter, there is the possibility that the Phosphorus within cover crops can then leach into surface runoff. Dr. Merrin Macrae and her team decided to dive deep and discover whether or not this trade-off exists and, if so, to what extent. Listen to learn: What do Nalgene bottles and ping pong balls have...
2019-12-2036 minField, Lab, EarthMethane, Hydrology, and Constructed Wetlands with Karla Jarecke and Dr. Terry Loecke"Plant Species and Hydrology as Controls on Constructed Wetland Methane Fluxes" with Karla Jarecke and Dr. Terry Loecke Wetlands are important ecosystems that provide many important services, such as assisting in water quality, flood control, erosion protection, carbon removal and storage, and biodiversity. Hydrology is the study of water, specifically in how it moves throughout the landscape. Combine them with the conundrum of methane production in wetland plant species, and you've got the makings of a fascinating research project. Specifically, Karla Jarecke and Terry Loecke's project. By testing methane production in two common wetland species...
2019-11-1537 minField, Lab, EarthWhat We Mean by Soil Health with Dr. Ryan Stewart"What We Talk about When We Talk about Soil Health" with Dr. Ryan Stewart. Soil health is an important topic for today's scientists, but how do we quantify it, and when we talk about "healthy soils," what do we even mean? Dr. Ryan Stewart and his team set out to answer just that. Doing a meta-analysis on dozens of studies listed in The Soil Health Institute's Research Landscape Tool, Ryan and his team compared different soil health indicators to determine what scientists are measuring, how they're measuring it, and which are the most valuable in...
2019-10-1840 minField, Lab, Earth350 Years of Phosphorus with Dr. Andrew Sharpley and Dr. Don Flaten"Celebrating the 350th Anniversary of Phosphorus Discovery: A Conundrum of Deficiency and Excess" with Drs. Andrew Sharpley, Helen Jarvie, Don Flaten, and Peter Kleinman. 350 years ago, German alchemist Hennig Brandt accidentally discovered phosphorus during his quest to find the philosopher's stone. As it turns out, phosphorus can't turn base metals into gold, but it is one of the most important elements for sustaining life on earth. Join us for this episode as we discuss the discovery of phosphorus, its uses, how we harvest it, and interesting facts about its storied past. Listen to find answers...
2019-09-2039 minField, Lab, EarthSaturated Riparian Buffers with Dr. Morgan Davis and Dr. Tyler Groh"Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Saturated Riparian Buffers: Are We Trading a Water Quality Problem for an Air Quality Problem?" with Dr. Morgan Davis and Dr. Tyler Groh. Riparian buffers are areas of perennial vegetation planted around stream banks and other riparian zones to protect against soil erosion and nutrient leaching. However, tile drainage systems—piping laid under fields to keep them from becoming too saturated—are designed to bypass riparian buffers, leading to potentially harmful levels of nutrient leaching. Saturated Riparian Buffers are a relatively new conservation technique that aims to reduce those water quality issues by redi...
2019-08-1640 minField, Lab, EarthTree Harvesting, Biomass Removal, and Soil Nutrient Reserves with Dr. Dave Morris"Effects of Biomass Removal Levels on Soil Carbon and Nutrient Reserves in Conifer-Dominated, Coarse-Textured Sites in Northern Ontario: 20-Year Results" with Dr. Dave Morris Forest harvesting varies greatly from annual harvests of agricultural crops, with extended times between harvests, the amount of harvested material removed, and the degree of site disturbance. Trees can grow to impressive sizes, but can take up to 60 years or more to reach a merchantable size. Because of these factors, the potential impact of these forest harvest operations on the environmental conditions needed for successful tree regeneration and growth can be substantial. Dr...
2019-07-1932 minField, Lab, EarthBlooper Reel and Listener SurveyHappy birthday to us! In honor of our first birthday, we've put together a blooper reel. And to keep the good times rolling, we've developed a short, five minute survey to help us improve. Please take the time to fill it out, and enjoy some of our favorite flubs! Thank you to all of our amazing guests from year one! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N8V2YSL If you would like to sign up for our newsletter, please visit our website: https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/podcast Contact us at podcast@sciencesocieties...
2019-06-2108 minField, Lab, EarthHigh-Throughput Seed Phenotyping with James Clohessy"A Low-Cost Automated System for High-Throughput Phenotyping of Single Oat Seeds" with James Clohessy. A Rube Goldberg machine is a machine intentionally designed to complete a simple task using overly complicated steps. James Clohessy and his team are doing just the opposite. Using machine learning, web cameras, open software, and photogrammetry techniques, they're developing low cost, high-throughput, high efficiency phenotyping systems. With these systems, researchers can save hours of time that would normally be spent on taking individual seed measurements by hand, such as height, width, and color, all while gaining greater detail about the seed such...
2019-06-2135 minField, Lab, EarthVadose Zone Gas Migration and Leaking Wells with Olenka Forde"Vadose Zone Gas Migration and Surface Effluxes after a Controlled Natural Gas Release into an Unconfined Shallow Aquifer" with Olenka Forde. Olenka Forde thinks a lot about a world that we'll never see – the world existing right underneath our feet. Olenka's research is related to hydraulic fracturing and she is interested in how we can safely extract oil and gas resources without negative impacts on fresh water supply, wildlife, and even humans. She does this by monitoring the fate and transport of gases in the subsurface and emissions at the ground surface at a controlled natural gas re...
2019-05-1731 minField, Lab, EarthTurfgrass Colorants with Drew Pinnix"Color, Transfer, and Application Parameters of Turfgrass Colorants" with Garland (Drew) Pinnix. In kindergarten, we're taught that colors can be one of seven colors of the rainbow. Later, we learn fun colors like purple mountain majesty and get excited when our friend brings a 50-pack of crayons. In reality though, color is much more complex, a mixture of hue, brightness, and saturation. Drew Pinnix thinks a lot about color, specifically in relation to turfgrass. Most of the time, the beautiful turfgrass we see at golf courses or football fields is due to careful management by professionals trained...
2019-04-1937 minField, Lab, EarthHydrological Observatories with Dr. Heye Bogena"Toward Better Understanding of Terrestrial Processes through Long-Term Hydrological Observatories" with Dr. Heye Bogena. Hydrology, put plainly, is the study of water: how it moves, where it goes, and what's inside it. Hydrologists gather as much information as they can about water in order to understand current water trends and to predict potential water patterns in the future. In a changing climate, this is more crucial than ever. Using data from multiple networks of hydrological observatories, hydrologists gather information and create and test models surrounding questions such as: How will land use change affect water flux? Will...
2019-03-1541 minField, Lab, EarthPrecision and Sustainable Agriculture with Dr. David ClayPrecision Agriculture Basics with Dr. David Clay Dr. David Clay, along with the precision agriculture community, are working like codebreakers to crack the secret to more efficient, more environmentally friendly farming. The key? Understanding variability. Across any given farm field, there are many discrepancies in how given points of the field react to similar management practices. If farmers understand what causes those discrepancies, they can fine tune management in ways that can optimize fertilizer and pesticide use, inputs, and time. Getting this type of information used to mean extensive and costly soil sampling. Dr. Clay...
2019-02-1542 minField, Lab, EarthThe OSU Hand Planter with Dr. Bill Raun"Hand Planter for the Developing World: Factor Testing and Refinement" with Dr. Bill Raun Across Central America, South America, and Africa, there are thousands of acres of land with slopes and landscapes that will never be suitable for mechanized agriculture. For hundreds of years, they have been planted by hand, a practice that continues today. The problem is, as technology in chemical seed treatments has advanced, technology in hand-planting techniques has not, resulting in thousands of farmers' exposure to seed-friendly chemicals that can lead to sickness and even birth defects in humans. After...
2019-01-1837 minField, Lab, EarthSediment and the Health of the Great Barrier Reef with Dr. Peter Hairsine"Review: Sediment-Related Controls on the Health of the Great Barrier Reef" with Dr. Peter Hairsine. In 2016, a catastrophic bleaching event killed off around 30% of the Great Barrier Reef's coral. The reef has been in a precarious spot for decades, but climate change and human-caused pollution have amplified the threats to its existence. Dr. Peter Hairsine is a scientist with The Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National Univ., Canberra, Australia, working on the front lines of monitoring and researching the reef's responses to these changes, with an ultimate goal of preserving it as one of...
2018-12-2139 minField, Lab, EarthStacking Soybean Cyst Nematode Resistance with Dr. Brian Diers"Pyramiding of Alleles from Multiple Sources Increases the Resistance of Soybean to Highly Virulent Soybean Cyst Nematode Isolates" with Dr. Brian Diers. One of a farmer's greatest enemies is a nemesis that they never even see. A nematode sounds like a ghastly swamp monster – in reality, it's a microscopic worm that does some big time damage to soybean fields. These little guys love living in the soil and sucking on soybean roots. A bad infestation of soybean cyst nematodes can cost a farmer around 30 to 40% of his or her crop. So how does one fight a...
2018-11-1633 minField, Lab, EarthWildland Fire, Mercury, and Perch with Dr. Randy Kolka and Trent Wickman"Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) Mercury Unaffected by Wildland Fires in Northern Minnesota" with Dr. Randy Kolka and Trent Wickman. We often hear of the dangers of mercury to pregnant women and children that require them to restrict fish consumption. For good reason – even at low concentrations, mercury can do serious damage to neural networks and reproductive systems. However, we talk little of how the mercury gets in these fish in the first place. The most common way mercury enters the ecosystem is through the burning of coal; however, it can also volatilize via prescribed and wi...
2018-10-1938 minField, Lab, EarthCrop Wild Relatives Week with Dr. Stephanie Greene"An Inventory of Crop Wild Relatives of the United States" with Dr. Stephanie Greene. Crop Wild Relatives week is September 22 – 29, 2018! Crops are vital to feeding an expanding world – and like anything incredibly important, they need to be protected from things like disease, environmental disaster, and anything else that can pose a real threat. The key to their protection? Unexpected heroes that could be growing in your back yard– wild varieties of domesticated crops called crop wild relatives. Crop wild relatives are the close cousins of domesticated crops (think a poodle vs. a wolf). Often...
2018-09-2139 minField, Lab, EarthThe Farm Bill with Dr. Julie McClure and Dr. Elizabeth StulbergThe Farm Bill with Dr. Julie McClure and Dr. Elizabeth Stulberg If you have ever eaten food in the United States, you've been impacted by The Farm Bill, a mega-bill that is due for renewal in Congress this September. Although it heavily affects farmers, the Farm Bill covers a huge swath of topics: wildlife conservation, rural affairs, agriculture research, food stamps, and a lot more. If it seems like a big and overwhelming deal, that is because it is. Luckily, we have Drs. Elizabeth Stulberg and Julie McClure, two ASA-CSSA-SSSA science policy managers that are fluent in...
2018-09-0748 minField, Lab, EarthClimate Change and Simulated Canola Yields with Dr. Budong Qian"Simulated Canola Yield Responses to Climate Change and Adaptation in Canada" with Dr. Budong Qian. Canada really cares about the future of canola. It has surpassed spring wheat as the dominant crop in Canada, covering 8.5 million ha of Canadian agricultural land. It is even named after Canada, as the word canola itself is a contraction of "Canada" and "oil". However, climate change and increasing temperatures threaten Canada's canola sector—which is why Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has constructed a team of scientists to study the future of canola and Canada's agricultural areas, which are projected to have a...
2018-08-1728 minField, Lab, EarthInsect Pollinators and Confection Sunflowers with Dr. Rachel Mallinger"Benefits of Insect Pollination to Confection Sunflowers Differ Across Plant Genotypes" with Dr. Rachel Mallinger. Sunflowers are a hallmark of an American summer. They're grown for beauty, but they are also important industrial crops in America, grown for sunflower oil, for fresh eating (of the seeds), and for bird seed. And although we've slowly bred them to be more independent of pollinators, sunflowers still partner with bees. And not just honey bees. More often, they partner with native bees. Did you know honey bees aren't even native to the U.S.? And while just as...
2018-07-1941 minField, Lab, EarthArtificial Sweeteners Underground with Dr. John Spoelstra"Artificial Sweeteners Reveal Septic System Effluent in Rural Groundwater" with Dr. John Spoelstra. Dr. John Spoelstra is something like a wastewater detective. If there is secret wastewater that is contaminating groundwater and putting health outcomes at risk, he wants to know. To trace the path of wastewater, he uses a special set of tools: tracer compounds. These are compounds that are not found in the natural environment, but have a lot of human use. Examples are caffeine, acetaminophen, anti-seizure medication, and a recent discovery Dr. Spoelstra and his team have found to be incredibly effective: artificial sweeteners...
2018-06-1330 minField, Lab, EarthIron Layers in Golf Course Soils with Glen ObearRapid soil formation in engineered soils, as highlighted in the article "Soil Evolution Par for the Golf Course" with Glen Obear. Not all of us who go golfing think about what is happening underneath the green. Glen Obear has always been that kind of guy. Since his high school days, he has wanted to be a golf course superintendent – even though he doesn't play that much golf! What fascinates him is the science of developing a golf course. We may simply see a beautiful, natural-looking terrain, but those rolling hills and magnificent green fields are the product of...
2018-06-1331 minField, Lab, EarthBlue Carbon in Mangrove Forests with Dr. Gabriel Nuto Nóbrega"Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (Vis-Nir-Swir) as a Promising Tool for Blue Carbon Quantification in Mangrove Soils: A Case of Study in Tropical Semiarid Climatic Conditions" with Dr. Gabriel Nuto Nóbrega. Mangrove forests are some of the most important forests in the world. Mangroves are uniquely adapted to acting as a middleman. They can deal with very high salinity and hide tides, but when the tide drops, they can deal with the low salinity. They act as nurseries for young birds, fish, and large, rare mammals like dugongs and manatees before they are ready to branch out into t...
2018-06-1328 minField, Lab, EarthAntibiotic Resistance in Nebraskan Soils with Dr. Lisa Durso"Assessment of Selected Antibiotic Resistances in Ungrazed Native Nebraska Prairie Soils" with Dr. Lisa Durso. Antibiotic resistance has revealed itself as one of the great public health threats of our lifetimes. It currently causes 23,000 deaths per year and $55 billion of health costs in the U.S. Those numbers are predicted to skyrocket in coming years without major change. However, there's a caveat that makes researching it harder. Antibiotic resistance occurs naturally in soil, even without antibiotics present – but we're not sure why. That's where Dr. Lisa Durso comes in. She works with the USDA-ARS to lo...
2018-06-1328 minField, Lab, EarthCover Crop Cocktails with Dr. Ebony Murrell and Dr. Mac Burgess"Achieving Diverse Cover Crop Mixtures: Effects of Planting Date and Seeding Rate" with Dr. Ebony Murrell and Dr. Mac Burgess In fall, organic farmers across the country will start spreading seeds for crops that they won't ever harvest. The reason? They're cover crops! The secret agents of the crop game, these are crops that are planted in between plantings of cash crops like corn or wheat because of their many benefits to the land, the environment, and the farmer. Historically, they've been planted to prevent water from carrying nutrients away in runoff. But in recent...
2018-06-1335 min