Podcasts about plant science

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Sebastian Eves-van den Akker of the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. They discuss how Sebastian and his lab are using tech such a machine learning and 3d printing to gather data regarding plant parasitic nematodes. Additional Resources   List of Contributors: Siyuan Wei, Jie Zhou, Olaf Prosper Kranse, Unnati Sonawala, Gang Sun, Ziyang He, Beatrice Senatori, Clement Pellegrin, Andrea Díaz-Tendero Bravo, Roberta Healey, Victor Hugo Moura de Souza, Vincent C.T. Hanlon, George Harpum, Tithira Wijayathilake, Adela Gaja Jezierska-Suwinska, Anika Damm, Kerry VerMeulen, Thomas Baum, Lida Derevnina, Ji Zhou, Sebastian Eves-van den Akker. Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction and Background of the Speaker 02:45 Sebastian's Journey into Plant Sciences 05:43 Exploring Nematodes and Their Impact 08:54 Research Focus: Cyst Nematodes and Their Mechanisms 11:40 Drivers of Nematode Research in the UK 14:34 Innovative Methods in Nematode Research 17:47 High-Throughput Imaging and AI in Research 20:31 Logistics of Large-Scale Experiments 24:28 The Greenhouse Imaging Project 26:48 The Challenges of Lab Work 29:57 Designing the Imaging Machine 33:14 Collaborative Engineering in the Lab 36:23 AI and Nematode Detection 42:08 Building Growth Curves from Data 43:51 Nematode Interactions: Cooperation or Competition? 45:47 Genetic Screening for Nematode Traits 49:29 Future Directions: AI and Nematode Research 51:54 Innovations in Screening Technology 55:36 Communication Between Plants and Animals 56:28 Advancements in Nematode Management 01:00:26 Understanding Nematodes as Orphan Diseases 01:07:50 outro with logo.mp4 Zaworski, E. (Host) and Eves-van den Akker, S. (Interviewee). S5:E12 (Podcast). Seeing the Unseen: New Technologies for Studying Plant-Parasitic Nematodes. 6/17/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.   Transcript

Somewhere between the farm and your plate, the story of how your food is grown got hijacked. Not by farmers. By people who have never touched a seed, never watched a crop fail, never had to explain to their banker why the weather won. Dennis Bulani is a fourth-generation Saskatchewan farmer, CEO of The Rack -- one of Western Canada's most respected independent ag retailers -- founder of the Trust Your Plate movement, and author of What a Farmer Wants You to Know About Food. He sat in a room full of entrepreneurs in Arizona while a speaker told everyone that modern farming was poisoning the world. He went home and wrote a book about it. Nine in ten people trust farmers. One in five trust modern farming practices. This is the conversation about how that gap happened -- and what to do with it.   Topics and Timestamps 0:00 -- Dan's open: "Somewhere between the farm and your plate, the story got hijacked" 1:07 -- Dennis on the farm right now: wheat year, 1,000 acres, single-crop rotation 1:28 -- The one-crop-per-year strategy and why it works for a busy CEO-farmer 4:15 -- Pulse rotation research: 15% average yield lift across all other crops 5:52 -- Solving phomyces root rot: 5-year research taking peas from 25 to 75 bushels 7:37 -- Published in the American Journal of Plant Science 8:49 -- The Rack's research program: PhD scientist, 6 agronomists, 12 field trials annually 10:00 -- The 100-bushel canola goal and what the "kitchen sink" trial actually proved 13:06 -- How "Rogue" was born: Dr. Bill Brown, manganese-zinc surfactant, and 10-12% yield lift 17:10 -- Rogue in Liberty Canola and what glyphosate actually does to manganese and zinc 18:36 -- Dennis's animal science degree: balancing plant rations is the same science as balancing cattle rations 22:13 -- From Eli Lilly to building The Rack: how an animal nutritionist ended up selling gas 26:00 -- Strategic Coach and the size of the problems Dennis is now willing to take on 30:00 -- The Arizona room: a speaker says modern farming is poisoning the world. Dennis goes home and writes a book. 35:00 -- The trust gap: 9 in 10 people trust farmers but only 1 in 5 trust modern farming practices 38:00 -- The MSG story: how one bad idea gets into the bloodstream of a culture and never leaves 39:39 -- Fertilizer supply chain: urea forecasting, import terminals, and the 2026 seeding sprint 41:13 -- Trump and geopolitics: the Straits of Hormuz theory and what it means for urea prices 43:05 -- Are farmers making money? The 2026 economics at $820 spring wheat 44:09 -- Why Canadian farmers are the most resilient in the world -- and the crow rate story that explains it 47:06 -- "The most advanced, educated farmers in the world" -- how adversity built Western Canadian agriculture 50:52 -- Biological products: the seaweed trial, what the research actually showed, and how to think about new claims 53:48 -- Zinc deficiency in 70% of soil tests -- the right form, timing, and strategy for zinc 59:27 -- Phosphate threshold: 20-25 ppm as the floor that separates good yields from great ones 1:04:29 -- The Rack spends $600,000 a year on replicated research -- and shares results with competitors for free 1:07:00 -- The retail landscape is changing: what separates partners from order-takers 1:08:53 -- AI and the future of ag retail agronomy 1:17:57 -- The novel: 60% true story, Kyrgyzstan, post-communist winter wheat, and Fibonacci numbers 1:20:07 -- Writing the book for "Aunt Nancy from Vancouver" -- and hiring four fact-checkers 1:22:13 -- "Never have we lived longer, never have we been healthier" -- Canada's 84-year life expectancy 1:26:07 -- Aunt Nancy from Vancouver: why farmers avoid the conversation -- and why they shouldn't 1:27:09 -- TrustYourPlate.com as a reference tool for farmers to use in the moment 1:30:42 -- The three biggest myths in consumer agriculture 1:31:15 -- The eyedrop analogy: one-third of one drop per square foot per year is all the chemical farmers apply   Resources Mentioned What a Farmer Wants You to Know About Food -- Dennis Bulani (book, available on Amazon, Kindle edition) Trust Your Plate -- trustyourplate.com (reference tool for answering food safety questions) The Rack -- Rack Petroleum, Bigger, Saskatchewan (ag retail, fuel, fertilizer, research division) Rogue -- The Rack's proprietary manganese-zinc surfactant product (developed from Dr. Bill Brown's research) American Journal of Plant Science -- published The Rack's pea phomyces root rot research Ultimate Yield -- The Rack's agronomy division AgLink Canada -- independent ag retailer association (Dean Falls, Director) Nutrients for Life Canada -- distributing the book to school teachers across Canada Dr. Aaron Corey -- PhD scientist, The Rack research division Dr. Bill Brown -- glyphosate and surfactant researcher, Ontario; Hellfire surfactant Strategic Coach -- Dan Sullivan's entrepreneurship program CAAR -- Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers University of South Dakota / University of Nebraska -- crop rotation and phosphate research referenced Connect with Dennis Bulani Website: trustyourplate.com Book: What a Farmer Wants You to Know About Food -- search Amazon LinkedIn: Dennis Bulani   Connect with Growing the Future Website: growingthefuture.ca YouTube: Growing the Future Instagram: @growingthefuturepodcast LinkedIn: Growing the Future Register for the Convergence Conference at convergence.ag and stay updated by subscribing to the Growing the Future Podcast at growingthefuturepodcast.ca.

Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode covers how The University of Tennessee’s research as part of the FIFA 2026 World Cup is already scoring benefits on the world stage. When FIFA selected the University of Tennessee to oversee research for building and maintaining the FIFA WORLD CUP 26 pitches, it promised to focus worldwide attention on the university's turfgrass science and management program. With the opening games just weeks away, UT's collaboration with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association has already brought new recognition to the acclaimed turfgrass program. The research—led by John Sorochan, who is the Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management in the UT Department of Plant Sciences—is also yielding information that will result in improved parks, recreation fields and sports turfs at schools and universities. “It's been an incredibly important initiative,” says Keith Carver, UT Institute of Agriculture senior vice chancellor and senior vice president. “It takes the work of our faculty and researchers to audiences all over the world. But, in an equally important manner, our work with FIFA has ushered in new advances to turfgrass that have improved golf courses, yards and gardens all over the Volunteer State. The impact of this research reaches far and wide.” In 2021, FIFA initiated a five-year project with UT and Michigan State University for help in producing optimum playing surfaces for the 16 stadiums and nearly 150 practice fields for FIFA WORLD CUP 26. Forty-eight national teams will play at venues in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., spanning four time zones and multiple climatic regions. Since then, UT researchers have been growing test plots of grass, experimenting with ways of installing grass over different surfaces in varying conditions and testing surfaces for the best playing and safety conditions. FIFA funded the construction of climate-controlled test fields at the Plant Sciences Unit of the UT East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Knoxville. Alan Ferguson, FIFA senior pitch management manager, says the university's research was used in the inaugural Club World Cup, an international competition organized by FIFA, held last summer at a dozen stadiums across the U.S. “The UT turf team is well known around the world for high-quality research,” Ferguson says. “With so many key technologies already under research at UT, it made sense for FIFA to partner and extend this research.” The UT turfgrass science and management program is expanding in other ways, as well. UT is establishing certificate programs for pitch managers, golf course superintendents and those who oversee other sports venues. The UT Herbert College of Agriculture is working to launch one or more certificate programs for turfgrass science, including specializations for sports turf. The program is intended to have a state, national and global audience and will be open to current college students. UT Extension currently offers the non-credit, online Certified Lawn Care Professional Program on general turfgrass management. The program is tailored for working professionals who want to deepen their knowledge of regional turfgrass management and who do not need or intend to use the training for a college certificate or degree program. Participants in this program do not have to submit homework or take quizzes and exams, or develop other types of work typically associated with college programs. Participants who finish the program receive a certificate of completion from UT Extension, though no college credit or transcripts are earned. UT also is investing in additional turf research fields, which Sorochan says could be used to test specific technologies like heating systems, vacuum ventilation and subsurface irrigation. Learn more about these efforts, the benefits they are bringing to athletic playing surfaces throughout Tennessee, and the first-class opportunities they are bringing to turfgrass science and management students in an article in UTIA's Land, Life and Science magazine. You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on X, Facebook and LinkedIn for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more. The post UT and FIFA World Cup 26! appeared first on The Turf Zone.

In this Corn Special Series episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Kevin Bradley, Professor and State Extension Weed Scientist at the University of Missouri, discusses practical strategies for managing herbicide-resistant weeds in corn and soybean systems. He shares insights on waterhemp, cover crop biomass, harvest weed seed control, electrocution technology, precision spraying, and why residual herbicides still matter. Listen now on all major platforms!"Herbicide resistance continues forcing major changes in weed management programs across corn and soybean systems, especially with waterhemp and Palmer amaranth spreading rapidly."Meet the guest: Dr. Kevin Bradley is a Professor and State Extension Weed Scientist in the Division of Plant Science and Technology at the University of Missouri. His extension and research work focuses on applied weed management in corn, soybean, and forage systems, with extensive work on herbicide-resistant waterhemp. He earned his PhD from Virginia Tech and has served at the University of Missouri since 2003. Listen to The Crop Science Podcast Show with Dr. Kevin Bradley on all major platforms.Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!What you will learn:(00:00) Highlight(00:59) Introduction(05:00) Herbicide resistance trends(06:02) Cover crops(07:37) Harvest seed control(15:33) Weed electrocution(21:30) Precision spraying(25:25) Final questionsThe Crop Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:- Loam Bio

Welcome to The Turf Zone Podcast. This episode features the article “How Variability Within and Between Natural Turfgrass and Synthetic Athletic Fields Impacts Athlete Safety and Performance” written by Ava Veith, Dr. David McCall, Dr. Chase Straw, Dr. Daniel Sandor, Dr. Jay Williams, Elisabeth Kitchen, Kevin Hensler, Aaron Tucker and Dr. Caleb Henderson Authors Note and Context Ava Veith is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Plant Science at Penn State University under the advisement of Dr. Chase Straw, where her research focuses on studying within-field variability and athlete–surface interactions. However, the research presented in this article was conducted during her master's program at Virginia Tech under Dr. David McCall. This study served as a foundational investigation into how variability within and between natural turfgrass and synthetic turf athletic fields influences athletes. The findings from this work have shaped the direction of subsequent doctoral research. Building on this foundation, the planned Ph.D. project aims to examine athlete lower-limb joint biomechanics across natural turfgrass, synthetic turf, and hybrid (natural turfgrass reinforced with synthetic fibers) surfaces using multi-segment inertial measurement units. At the conclusion of this article, the next phase of research will be briefly outlined to demonstrate how it has grown from the master's study. In this way, the Virginia Tech study presented here represents both a completed project and the starting point for a broader, ongoing effort to better understand how the playing surface can affect athlete movement and injury-relevant mechanics. Introduction A safe playing surface is essential for athletic competition. Natural turfgrass and synthetic turf are common playing surfaces used for field sports, and extensive research has been conducted to compare these two surface types. However, limited attention has been given to within-field variability and its impact on athlete safety and performance. Studies often classify athletic fields broadly as synthetic or natural, overlooking critical surface metrics that fluctuate both within and between fields. Key field characteristics such as surface hardness, rotational resistance, soil moisture, thatch depth, and infill depth (for synthetic fields) play a crucial role in assessing field quality. Variability in these factors can be influenced by environmental conditions, management practices, and field usage patterns. Despite the known importance of these factors, current research often fails to account for field-specific inconsistencies, limiting the effectiveness of broad comparisons between surfaces. To improve field safety and optimize athlete performance, interdisciplinary collaboration among turfgrass scientists, sports scientists, and sports medicine professionals is necessary. Evidence-based field management strategies must be developed to ensure more consistent playing conditions, reducing the risk of injury. Wearable technologies such as STATSports GPS trackers (STATSports, 2025) and ankle inertial measurement units (IMUs) (IMeasureU, 2019) provide critical insights into athlete biomechanics, load monitoring, and more. These technologies allow researchers to quantify how different surface conditions influence athletes during performance, offering valuable data for injury prevention strategies. Beyond data collected by wearable technologies, athlete perceptions of field conditions also play a role in performance and injury risk. Unpredictable surface variability can affect player confidence, movement efficiency, and risk-taking behaviors, making perception-based data collection essential. Understanding how athletes experience and perceive different playing surfaces can inform future improvements in field construction and maintenance. The objective of this study is to quantify the impact of surface variability on athlete safety and performance, both within and between natural turfgrass and synthetic turf surfaces. This research will quantify how variations in key surface metrics, including surface hardness, rotational resistance, soil moisture, thatch depth, and infill depth, affect athletes utilizing data from wearable technologies, such as STATSports GPS trackers and ankle IMUs. Additionally, to further understand the influence of field surfaces, athletes will be surveyed before and after performing drills to gather insights into their perceptions of how surface variability impacts their performance. Methodology Athletic Fields Tested This research was conducted in August of 2024, where four athletic fields on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia were studied. Two of these fields were natural turfgrass (bermudagrass), while the other two fields were synthetic turf. For both field types, one field was classified as ‘low usage', while the other was classified as ‘high usage'. This was determined based on traffic frequency, field age, and management practices. Preliminary Data Collection Before live athletes were introduced, surface hardness was assessed on all four fields using a Clegg hammer, with 100 measurements collected per field. The data were then analyzed using ArcGIS Pro to generate surface hardness heatmaps, highlighting variability between and within each field. These maps allowed us to identify specific locations for the athletes to perform drills, where one selected area within each field was slightly harder than the rest of the field, and the other being slightly softer. Additionally, 20 measurements of rotational resistance (using Deltec's rotational resistance tester), thatch depth (using a soil profile sampler), soil moisture (using a TDR 350 Soil Moisture Meter), and infill depth (using a Turf-Tec Professional Model Infill Depth Gauge) were taken in both the softer and harder areas to further characterize each field and understand the relationship between surface conditions and athlete performance. Data Collection During Athlete Involvement Fourteen female athletes participated in the study, equipped with STATSports GPS devices (to measure running speed) and ankle IMUs (to measure lower limb impact intensity) to quantify their movements during drills. The athletes were each given new Nike cleats prior to participation to eliminate variation based on cleat configuration. They completed three drills, including a drop landing or drop jump drill, a T-drill, and a modified acceleration-deceleration drill, which were designed to replicate common athletic movements. Each drill was performed three times in both the softer and harder areas identified within each field. Additionally, each athlete completed pre- and post-performance surveys designed to capture their perceptions of field quality before and after completing the drills, providing insight into how different surfaces may have influenced their performance. Results and Discussion Surface Hardness Data Heatmaps highlight surface hardness variability within each studied field. Surface hardness data (n = 100 per field) were analyzed using analysis of variance, and means were separated using Fisher's protected least significant difference (LSD) test at α = 0.05 to evaluate statistical differences between locations. Both synthetic turf fields had significantly harder surfaces than the natural turfgrass fields (p < 0.0001), and for both surface types, the high-usage field had a significantly harder surface than the low-usage field (p = 0.0029 for the natural turfgrass fields and p < 0.0001 for the synthetic turf fields). Both synthetic fields tested in this study were not constructed with a shock pad, which is typically placed beneath the layer of material that supports the synthetic fibers and utilized to help replicate the cushioning effect of natural turfgrass. The absence of a shock pad, along with the tendency of synthetic turf to harden over time due to infill material compaction from athlete foot traffic, may explain the harder surface values observed on the synthetic fields compared to the natural fields. Further, increased use or foot traffic on both natural turfgrass and synthetic turf leads to compaction, which causes the playing surface to harden over time. Therefore, it is anticipated that the high-usage fields exhibited higher surface hardness compared to the low-usage fields. Data Within Each Hard and Soft Area Resulting rotational resistance, thatch depth, soil moisture, and infill depth (synthetic fields only) measurements taken within each hard and soft area on all four fields are presented in Table 1 (available in the Spring 2026 issue of Pennsylvania Turfgrass magazine). These measurements (n = 20 per both hard and soft areas within each field) were analyzed using analysis of variance, and means were separated using Fisher's protected least significant difference (LSD) test at α = 0.05 to evaluate statistical differences between locations. Although the fields tested in this research were not professional-level fields, it is insightful to compare the results with the FIFA natural-pitch rating system (FIFA, 2022). All rotational resistance values fell within FIFA's ‘excellent quality' and ‘satisfactory quality' thresholds, which is important because excessive rotational resistance has been linked to increased lower extremity injuries due to the foot becoming entrapped in the surface during pivoting movements, and too little resistance can increase the risk of slipping. However, soil moisture values exceed 35%, which FIFA classifies as ‘unacceptable quality'. This elevated moisture is likely the primary cause of the low surface hardness values observed on the natural turfgrass fields, which were lower than FIFA's 70-85 Gmax ‘excellent quality' range. Additionally, FIFA considers thatch depths over 25 mm as unacceptable, and 10–15 mm satisfactory. Excessive thatch can cause athlete's cleats to become caught within the surface, increasing knee ligament stress. The low-usage natural turfgrass field had more thatch despite regular maintenance, while the high-usage natural turfgrass field had less, likely due to recent sprigging the summer before. Soft areas in both natural turfgrass fields exhibited higher thatch levels than the hard areas, consistent with previous findings that core cultivation reduces both thatch and surface hardness (McCarty et al., 2007; Atkinson et al., 2012). This supports the understanding that increased thatch can act as a cushioning layer, absorbing impact and thereby reducing surface hardness. The high-usage synthetic turf field exhibited significantly less infill and greater surface hardness compared to the low-usage synthetic turf field, and the soft areas within both synthetic fields had more infill than the hard areas. This aligns with previous research indicating that infill depth decreases with use, which in turn leads to higher surface hardness (Dickson et al., 2022). Additionally, the low-usage synthetic field exhibited greater variability in infill depth between the selected hard and soft areas, likely due to its relatively young age (only one year old at the time of the study). Compared to the older high-usage field, which was approximately ten years old, the infill in the low-usage synthetic field had less time to settle, making it more susceptible to displacement from foot traffic (Fleming et al., 2016). STATSports GPS Unit Data In our study, STATSports GPS units were securely attached to each athlete's upper back. These devices were used to determine if athlete running speed varied based on field type (natural turfgrass or synthetic turf), field usage level (high or low), or hardness (hard or soft areas within each field). However, no statistically significant differences were found. This consistency in speed across conditions is important because running speed can directly affect impact forces and biomechanical measurements. Prior studies have shown that faster running increases the ground reaction force and ultimately lower limb impact load (Leatham, 2004; Jiang et al., 2024). If athletes had run at different speeds on one field type compared to another, it could have affected the reliability of our ankle IMU data. However, since no significant speed differences were found across field types, usage, or hardness, we can confidently attribute the observed differences in the resulting ankle IMU data to the playing surface. Ankle IMU Data Ankle IMUs were utilized to record a metric called average intensity, which is defined as the mean impact intensity derived from every impact propagated into both limbs (IMeasureU, 2022). This metric is recorded in units of gravitational force (g). These devices were securely attached to each athlete's ankle and recorded data as they performed drills on all four fields studied. After running statistical tests that accounted for individual differences between athletes, significant differences were found based on field, field usage, and hardness. Across all three drills, field type had a noticeable impact (p < 0.0001) where athletes showed higher average intensity on synthetic turf fields compared to natural turfgrass. For the drop jump drill, the average intensity was 19.73 g [standard error (SE) ± 1.88] on natural turfgrass and 22.73 g (SE ± 1.82) on synthetic turf, placing the synthetic turf value within the IMU Step ‘high intensity' foot strike range of 21.5–26.7 g (Wong and Finch, 2018). A similar trend was seen in the t-drill, with average intensities of 15.84 g (SE ± 1.20) on natural turfgrass and 18.07 g (SE ± 1.16) on synthetic turf. For the modified acceleration-deceleration drill, average intensity was 17.72 g (SE ± 1.15) on natural turfgrass and 21.35 g (SE ± 1.10) on synthetic turf. Field usage also made a difference in the t-drill (p < 0.0001), where the average intensity on high-usage fields was 18.14 g (SE ± 1.24), compared to 16.49 g (SE ± 1.24) on low-usage fields. Hardness played a role as well, especially in the t-drill (p = 0.0073) and the modified acceleration-deceleration drill (p < 0.0001). In the t-drill, hard areas resulted in an average intensity of 17.43 g (SE ± 1.22), slightly higher than the 17.05 g (SE ± 1.22) on soft areas. For the modified acceleration-deceleration drill, intensity averaged 20.38 g (SE ± 4.28) on hard areas and 18.85 g (SE ± 3.81) on soft areas. Overall, the synthetic turf fields, high-usage fields, and hard areas within fields exhibited higher average intensity values than the natural turfgrass fields, low-usage fields, and softer areas within fields. This aligns with our surface hardness findings, as synthetic turf fields were significantly harder than natural turfgrass fields on average. Additionally, hard areas within synthetic turf were harder than those on natural turf, and high-usage fields were harder than low-usage fields for both surface types. Thus, our data suggest that harder surfaces may explain the higher average intensity values recorded on the athlete's lower limbs compared to softer surfaces. This trend has been heavily supported, as running on harder surfaces increases impact stress, which can ultimately contribute to lower limb injuries. However, all surface hardness values in this study were below 100 Gmax, which is the threshold deemed unsafe by the National Football League (NFL) guidelines (Sports Turf Managers Association, 2019) and unacceptable by FIFA. Yet, a potential positive correlation between surface hardness and impact was observed, as recorded by the ankle IMUs. While further research is needed, it is hypothesized that surface hardness exceeding 100 Gmax could significantly increase injury risk over time due to excessive impact on athletes' lower limbs. Additionally, establishing threshold values for ankle IMU metrics is crucial to determine the point at which these values may lead to injury. Survey / Athlete Perception Data Athletes completed pre- and post-performance surveys to assess field quality and its impact on their performance. Individual responses were recorded and analyzed using one-way analysis of variance to assess statistical differences between fields. Post-hoc comparisons were conducted using Fisher's protected least significant difference (LSD) test at α = 0.05. The low-usage natural turfgrass field received the highest quality rating for both pre- and post surveys, while the high-usage natural turfgrass field, hindered by weeds and poor maintenance, scored the lowest. Synthetic turf fields ranked in between the two natural fields (with the high usage synthetic turf field being ranked lower than the low-usage synthetic turf field), indicating a preference for synthetic surfaces over a poorly maintained natural field. Conclusions Considerable variation in surface hardness was observed both within and between fields, with synthetic turf fields generally being harder than natural turfgrass fields. High-usage fields, regardless of type, were significantly harder than low-usage fields. Other metrics, such as rotational resistance, soil moisture, thatch depth, and infill depth, also showed variability. For natural turfgrass fields, higher soil moisture led to lower surface hardness, while synthetic turf fields exhibited a negative relationship between field usage and infill depth, where frequent foot traffic reduced infill and increased surface hardness. Although achieving perfect field uniformity is not possible, these findings emphasize how field usage and maintenance impact surface variability. Additionally, our data suggest a potential link between surface hardness and the mechanical load on athletes' lower limbs. While this trend was observed, further research is needed to investigate its long-term effects on athlete health, particularly on surfaces that exceed acceptable hardness thresholds. Survey data revealed athletes rated the quality of the low-usage natural turfgrass field the highest, likely due to its softer surface and better aesthetics. In contrast, the high-usage natural turfgrass field, which suffered from poor maintenance and weed pressure, received the lowest ratings, underlining the importance of field condition in shaping athlete perceptions. These results highlight the role of field management and athlete feedback in optimizing field quality. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into how different sports surfaces impact athletes. Our findings suggest that harder surfaces, such as synthetic turf or high-traffic areas, can increase impact and loading on the lower limbs. These results highlight the critical importance of effective field management, maintenance, and consideration of field conditions prior to athletic competition. Next Phase of Research: Ph.D. Project Overview Building on the findings of the Virginia Tech study, this doctoral research at Penn State expands the investigation from impact loading to full lower-limb joint biomechanics during sport-specific movements. While the Virginia Tech study demonstrated that harder surfaces were associated with increased lower-limb impact intensity, the next question is whether different playing surfaces subtly alter how athletes move at the joint level during high-risk tasks such as cutting and decelerating. The planned Ph.D. project uses a multi-segment inertial measurement unit (IMU) configuration placed on the athlete's dominant limb, including sensors at the foot, shank, thigh, and pelvis. Positioning sensors closer to the ground improves sensitivity to surface-related differences, allowing evaluation of not only impact but also ankle, knee, and hip joint kinematics derived through inverse kinematics workflows. Female athletes will perform sport-specific movements, including a single-leg drop-landing followed by a 90° cut, as well as an acceleration to deceleration drill, on four playing surface types: natural turfgrass, synthetic turf, carpet-type hybrid reinforced turfgrass, and stitched fiber hybrid reinforced turfgrass. Each athlete will complete multiple trials on each surface in a within-subject, repeated-measures design, allowing direct biomechanical comparisons across surface types. Female athletes are of particular interest given they experience substantially higher rates of non-contact ACL injury compared to their male counterparts, highlighting the importance of understanding how the playing surface may influence movement. Joint angles of interest include knee flexion and frontal-plane knee motion (dynamic valgus), as well as hip and foot orientation variables commonly discussed in the context of non-contact ACL injury mechanisms. Because hybrid systems are increasingly used in elite stadium environments and are required for upcoming international competitions (e.g., the FIFA World Cup), understanding how live athletes respond biomechanically to these surfaces is of particular interest. To date, most hybrid research has relied primarily on mechanical testing devices rather than human movement data. An additional component of the project involves comparing human biomechanical responses to mechanical surface testing metrics, including measurements from the fLEX testing device (Dickson and Sorochan, 2022; SGL System, n.d.). If consistent relationships are identified between device measurements and athlete joint mechanics, field managers may ultimately be able to more confidently use standardized mechanical testing tools as practical indicators of athlete–surface interactions. Collectively, this progression advances a more comprehensive framework that integrates both the playing surface and athlete biomechanics. By focusing on human movement responses within real field environments, this work strengthens interdisciplinary collaboration across field management, kinesiology, and sports medicine. Ultimately, it aims to generate practical knowledge that supports both performance and safety in sport. A full list of references as well as accompanying figures, photos and tables are available with this article in the Spring 2026 issue of Pennsylvania Turfgrass magazine available on www.TheTurfZone.com. You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on X, Facebook and LinkedIn for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more. The post How Variability Within and Between Natural Turfgrass and Synthetic Athletic Fields Impacts Athlete Safety and Performance appeared first on The Turf Zone.

En 1972, la NASA lanzó un satélite para espiar los campos de trigo soviéticos en plena Guerra Fría. Nadie imaginaba que esa decisión geopolítica terminaría poniendo una herramienta de diagnóstico agrícola en el celular de cualquier productor del mundo. Esa herramienta es el NDVI, el Índice de Diferencia Normalizada de Vegetación.Todo empezó con el físico Compton Tucker en los laboratorios Goddard de la NASA, y terminó en los satélites que hoy monitorean en tiempo real el estado de los cultivos en Ucrania, el Sahel y los valles agrícolas de México. Una historia que cruza ciencia espacial, geopolítica y agronomía de precisión sin que nadie lo hubiera planeado así.El NDVI es una fórmula de dos números que mide la salud vegetal desde el espacio. Detecta estrés hídrico, deficiencias nutricionales y focos de enfermedad antes de que sean visibles a ojo humano. Hoy es el índice más usado en agricultura satelital y teledetección agrícola a nivel mundial.Su funcionamiento, los satélites que lo calculan, cómo interpretarlo en campo y por qué sigue siendo la base de la agricultura de precisión moderna, desde los grandes sistemas de riego de Sonora hasta las alertas globales de seguridad alimentaria de la FAO.Para productores, asesores y técnicos que quieren entender qué está mirando el satélite cuando pasa sobre sus cultivos, con contexto histórico, base técnica y aplicación práctica.Escucha Agricultura Profesional:https://open.spotify.com/show/2ZuOW2DhD7PK4SM33gtFWy?si=e33021063a114550--Créditos musicales:INTROMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/kevin-graham/53License code: 62TIV9S8Q1XCM65WOUTROMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-rollLicense code: KUSUTAITXDLYUTHQ--Fuentes consultadas:CIMMYT (2020). "From east Asia to south Asia, via Mexico: how one gene changed the course of history." Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo. cimmyt.orgNobel Prize Organization (1970). "Norman Borlaug – Facts and Biographical Notes." NobelPrize.org. Discurso de aceptación del Premio Nobel de la Paz, 10 de diciembre de 1970.Rajaram, S., Borlaug, N.E. y van Ginkel, M. "CIMMYT International Wheat Breeding." FAO. Sección sobre shuttle breeding y genes de enanismo. fao.org/4/y4011e/y4011e09.htmThe Print (2022). "Hungry India, a nawabi US President, 'Mexican blood' — The real story of Green Revolution." Investigación sobre el contexto geopolítico del envío de semillas de 1965 y la política de Johnson. theprint.inSpringer Nature (2002). "The genes of the Green Revolution." Trends in Plant Science. Revisión científica sobre los genes Rht1 y Rht2 derivados de Norin 10 y su papel molecular en la arquitectura de la planta. sciencedirect.com

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Tom wolf of Agrimetrix research and training. They discuss spray drones past, current and future, with regards to agriculture. Additional Resources https://sprayers101.com/about/ Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction to Spray Drones and Pesticide Applications 02:21 Tom Wolf's Journey into Plant Sciences 10:28 Understanding Drones: Basics and Types 14:24 The Evolving Drone Market and Manufacturers 18:32 The Technological Advancements in Spray Drones 19:41 The Evolution of Drone Design and Functionality 23:54 Understanding Swath Width and Its Variables 26:32 Challenges in Standardizing Drone Operations 31:44 Understanding the Complexity of Drone Applications 35:15 Training and Certification in Drone Usage 39:30 Who Operates the Drones? 47:05 outro with logo.mp4 Zaworski, E. (Host) and Wolf, T. (Interviewee). S5:E10 (Podcast). Attack of the Spray Drones! Part 1. 6/3/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.   Transcript

Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. On this episode we preview presentations and activities for the procrastinators recertification seminar on June 11, 2026 in Maryland. Introductory comments are from 8:00 AM to 8:10 AM with moderator Dr. Carroll. From 8:10 AM to 9:00 AM will be a presentation titled “Thinking Outside the Chemical Box: Prospects for Alternative Approaches to Weed Management in Turf” by Dr. Daniel Buonaiuto, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland. For the past half century, the field of weed science has been focused on chemically managing noxious weeds and invasive plants. While this focus has led to useful advances in weed control, it has also given rise to herbicide resistant weed genotypes and increased incidences of negative environmental and health impacts. Scientists are calling for a new weed science research agenda focused on integrating chemical control with mechanical, cultural and biological management approaches, but new research agendas take time, and the weeds are growing right now. In this session we'll survey the tools and techniques that are available right now that can aid turf professionals in managing problematic weeds with fewer chemicals. We'll also discuss the potential for practitioner-research partnerships to rapidly advance our collective expertise in integrated weed management in turfgrass systems. From 9:00 AM to 9:50 AM will be a presentation titled “Improving Dollar Spot Control While Reducing Fungicide Inputs” by Mr. Uday Kumar, Doctoral Candidate, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture. Dollar spot is the most common and costly disease on golf course fairways in the Mid-Atlantic region, and most courses rely heavily on calendar-based fungicide programs to keep it in check. This presentation covers two practical, research-backed approaches that can help superintendents get better control while reducing the number of sprays applied each season. Three years of field trials at the University of Maryland showed that timing fungicide applications using the Smith–Kerns dollar spot prediction model at the 20% threshold provided the same level of control as a standard 14-day calendar program while reducing applications by two to four sprays per season. In addition, nightly UVC irradiation delivered by an autonomous mower consistently suppressed dollar spot in lab, greenhouse, and field conditions. When UVC was combined with fungicides at 28-day intervals, turf quality remained acceptable while significantly reducing chemical inputs. Together, these tools offer a more precise and sustainable approach to dollar spot management on golf course fairways. Presentations will break from 9:50 AM to 10:00 AM then resume with a presentation titled “IPM Strategies for Ornamental Landscape Diseases” from 10:00 AM to 10:50 AM presented by Dr. David Clement, Plant Pathologist, University of Maryland Extension. Many landscape ornamental diseases require early diagnosis for effective management. Scouting is critical to finding symptoms early. This presentation will cover the common diseases in Maryland landscapes along with key diagnostic symptoms coupled with Integrated Pest Management strategies. From 10:50 AM to 11:40 AM Mr. Geoffrey Rinehart, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Applied Agriculture, University of Maryland will present “Fertilizer Product Selection and Nanotechnology Use in Fertilizer Programs” This presentation will provide information about what nanotechnology is and how it is being researched to improve the efficiency and efficacy of turf fertilizers and plant protectant products. In addition, this talk will encompass an overview of the major nitrogen fertilizer sources and their respective release characteristics. Timings for utilizing various major fertilizer sources for improved turfgrass health and effective nitrogen utilization will be discussed. From 11:40 AM to 12:30 PM Dr. Mark Carroll. Associate Professor, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland will present “Organic Lawn Care: Principles, Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland” Synthetic fertilizers and pesticide treatments are often the primary chemical inputs in conventional lawn care; however, growing human health and environmental concerns have many homeowners seeking lawn care programs that are marketed as Natural or Organic. Natural and Organic programs emphasize the use of materials and practices that enrich soil organic matter and promote presence of organisms perceived to be beneficial to promoting plant health. This presentation will review the principles underlying an organic approach to turfgrass management and will provide an overview of the materials being used by lawn care operators in Maryland that offer organic or natural lawn care services. Difficulties in adhering to organic precepts when offering an organic or natural lawn care program will also be discussed. From 12:30 PM to 1:15 PM the presentations will break for lunch and resume with a presentation titled “Pesticide and Fertilizer Spray Calibration Field Demonstration” from 1:15 PM to 2:00 PM by Steve Holman, Paint Branch Turfgrass Facility Research Technician. For additional information about the event visit the Maryland Turfgrass Council website at www.mdturfcouncil.org You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on X, Facebook and LinkedIn for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more. Visit www.theturfzone.com for more. The post Presentations and Activities for Procrastinators Recertification Seminar appeared first on The Turf Zone.

This lecture was recorded by Robin May on the 22nd of April 2026 at Barnard's Inn Hall, LondonProfessor of Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham, and (interim) Chief Scientist at the UK Health Security Agency, Robin May was appointed Gresham Professor of Physic in May 2022. Between July 2020 and September 2025 he served as Chief Scientific Adviser at the Food Standards Agency (FSA).Professor May's early training was in Plant Sciences at the University of Oxford, followed by a PhD on mammalian cell biology at University College London and the University of Birmingham. After postdoctoral research on gene silencing at the Hubrecht Laboratory, The Netherlands, he returned to the UK in 2005 to establish a research program on human infectious diseases. He was Director of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection at the University of Birmingham from 2017-2020. The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/music-mindGresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. There are currently over 2,500 lectures free to access. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham's mission, please consider making a donation: https://gresham.ac.uk/support/Website:  https://gresham.ac.ukTwitter:  https://twitter.com/greshamcollegeFacebook: https://facebook.com/greshamcollegeInstagram: https://instagram.com/greshamcollegeSupport the show

Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode spotlights New England Sports Field Management Association member Ryan Restivo – Parks Superintendent for the Town of New Canaan Parks Department in New Canaan, Connecticut. Read from New England Blade magazine. How did you get your start in the sports field industry? I've always had a passion for sports, the outdoors, and hard work. During high school and the early part of my collegiate career, I worked at a renowned golf course in Darien, Connecticut—Weeburn Country Club. I later joined Superintendent Doug Drugo and his grounds crew, where I gained hands-on experience maintaining high-level playing surfaces. That opportunity, combined with my love for sports, ultimately kickstarted my path into the turfgrass and sports field industry. Where did you go from there? That passion led me to earn a degree in Plant Sciences with a concentration in Turfgrass Management, along with a minor in General Business, from the University of Rhode Island. Along the way, I had the opportunity to work with outstanding teams, including the Weeburn Country Club grounds crew, the Gillette Stadium field crew, and the USGA at both the 2019 U.S. Junior Amateur and the 2024 U.S. Senior Open Championships. Those experiences helped shape my approach to turf management and Parks and Recreation operations. Today, I serve as the Superintendent for the Town of New Canaan Parks Department. Who was your mentor when you were first starting out in the industry, and why? Other than my family and the work ethic they instilled in me, one of my most influential mentors was—and still is—Joshua Bergeron. Josh, who is three years older than me, was a fellow URI Turfgrass Management student and followed a very similar career path in both golf course and sports field management. After graduating, Josh found success on the Gillette Stadium Field Crew before moving on to a different career path. Along with Field Crew Superintendent Jon Bengtson, Josh gave me the opportunity to intern with the Gillette Stadium Field Crew. To my younger self, that opportunity felt like a dream come true; to my adult self, it reinforced the belief that with hard work and the right opportunities, anything is possible. In addition to Josh, I've been fortunate to learn from all of my professors at URI, as well as the many golf course and sports field professionals who have guided me throughout my career. What's the best business advice you've ever received? While it's not strictly business advice, the best guidance I've ever received is a saying I try to live by: “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” — Mark Twain What is the next “game-changer” you see on the horizon for the sports turf industry? The next major game-changer in the sports turf industry is the continued advancement of automated and GPS-based technology. Innovations such as automated paint machines and GPS-guided sprayers promote greater precision, reduce misapplications, and allow operators to focus more on detail and quality in their day-to-day work. While skilled labor remains essential and in high demand, advanced technology enables sports turf managers to be more accurate and consistent with field layouts and applications. I've had first-hand experience using automated paint machines, and I've seen how they improve efficiency and consistency. What's your favorite / most useful: Equipment? Ventrac 4520 & various attachments Product? Seed Technology? Tiny Mobile Robot Paint Machine What advice would you share with people starting out in sports field management today? My advice is to always ask questions and say yes to opportunities—as long as they're safe. Don't be afraid to ask supervisors and peers for clarification and make it a priority to understand the why behind everything you do. Ask yourself questions like, “Why am I applying this product?” “What is its mode of action?” or “Why am I doing it this way—and is there a more efficient approach?” Opportunities often come when you least expect them, and growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. If you're hesitant but know the opportunity is safe, go for it. I can promise you that you'll gain something valuable from the experience. Can you share a bit about your family life and / or what you enjoy doing in your free time? Family is everything to me. I come from a big family and am the youngest of three, and growing up, our lives revolved around sports and work. Those experiences helped shape who I am today. I consider myself a pretty simple guy—I enjoy spending time with my fiancée, Elizabeth, and with our families and friends. I like staying active and competitive, even if it's through what I jokingly call “old man sports” like golf, cornhole, and pickleball. I also enjoy work-related and at-home projects. I see them as challenges that keep me engaged, help me continue learning, and contribute to improvements I can apply both professionally and in my day-to-day life. What have you enjoyed most / find most beneficial about being a New England Sports Field Management Association member? The most beneficial aspect of being a New England Sports Field Management Association member is the networking opportunities it provides. For newer members—those with five years of experience or less—it opens the door to the knowledge and insight of seasoned industry veterans. We can all admit that we've made mistakes and learned through trial and error, and having access to experienced professionals allows us to ask questions, learn more efficient ways to perform tasks and make better-informed decisions. That networking also encourages the exchange of ideas, exposure to new technologies, and honest discussions about what works—and what doesn't. It's an invaluable resource that helps professionals at every stage of their career continue to grow and adapt. You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on X, Facebook and LinkedIn for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more. Visit www.theturfzone.com for more. The post NE-SFMA Member Spotlight on Ryan Restivo appeared first on The Turf Zone.

La banana que comes cada mañana podría desaparecer. No es exageración ni titular de tabloides: el hongo Fusarium TR4 avanza sin freno por las plantaciones de banana Cavendish en más de 23 países, y ningún fungicida del mundo puede detenerlo. En este episodio explicamos por qué la fruta más exportada del planeta está viviendo una crisis silenciosa con consecuencias globales.La Cavendish representa el 95% de las exportaciones mundiales de banana y mueve más de 14,000 millones de dólares al año. Ecuador, Colombia, Perú y Filipinas sostienen esa cadena. Pero todas esas plantas son clones genéticamente idénticos, lo que las convierte en blancos perfectos para un patógeno que ya aprendió a matarlas.Esto ya pasó antes. La Gros Michel, la banana que dominó el comercio mundial hasta los años sesenta, fue eliminada por el mismo tipo de hongo. La industria cambió de variedad y siguió adelante sin resolver el problema de fondo. Hoy estamos en el mismo punto, con menos tiempo y más en juego.En este episodio vas a entender cómo funciona el TR4, por qué contamina el suelo para siempre, cómo llegó a América Latina y qué está haciendo la ciencia para encontrar una salida, incluyendo el primer banano transgénico aprobado para producción comercial en Australia en 2024.Una historia de monocultivo, geopolítica agrícola y un hongo que no distingue fronteras. Si alguna vez quisiste entender por qué la agricultura industrial es tan frágil, este episodio es el ejemplo más concreto que vas a escuchar.Escucha Agricultura Profesional:https://open.spotify.com/show/2ZuOW2DhD7PK4SM33gtFWy?si=e33021063a114550--Créditos musicales:INTROMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/kevin-graham/53License code: 62TIV9S8Q1XCM65WOUTROMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-rollLicense code: KUSUTAITXDLYUTHQ--Fuentes consultadas:FAO, Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y la Agricultura. «Banano: Análisis del Mercado 2023». Disponible en: https://www.fao.org/markets-and-trade/commodities-overview/bananas-tropical-fruits/bananas/esMunhoz, T., Vargas, J., Teixeira, L., Staver, C., Dita, M. (2024). «Fusarium Tropical Race 4 in Latin America and the Caribbean: status and global research advances towards disease management». Frontiers in Plant Science, 15:1397617. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1397617. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39081528/Harding, R., Paul, J.-Y., James, A., et al. (2025). «QCAV-4, the first genetically modified Cavendish banana resistant to Fusarium wilt tropical race 4 approved for commercial production and consumption». Plant Biotechnology Journal, 23: 3628-3637. DOI: 10.1111/pbi.70178. Disponible en: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/pbi.70178Dale, J., James, A., Paul, J.-Y., et al. (2017). «Transgenic Cavendish bananas with resistance to Fusarium wilt tropical race 4». Nature Communications, 8, artículo 1496. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01670-6. Disponible en: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5684404/Ploetz, R. C. (2018). «Fusarium Wilt of Banana: Current Knowledge on Epidemiology and Research Needs Toward Sustainable Disease Management». Frontiers in Plant Science. Disponible en: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6202804/

Could you grow your own food on the moon? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O'Reilly sit down with Kevin Espiritu, the gardening YouTuber behind Epic Gardening, to dig into backyard farming, the future of sustainable food, and what it would actually take to feed yourself on Earth or anywhere else. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here:  https://startalkmedia.com/show/homesteading-on-the-moon-with-kevin-espiritu/ Thanks to our Patrons Show more11:17 PMClaude responded: Raime Dayton, Giulian Minichiello, Peggy C, Pamela Knab, Randy Gladney, George Lett, Madeline Belton, Lio, Nick White, Michael, Shiwam Bandhoe, Catherine Spale…Raime Dayton, Giulian Minichiello, Peggy C, Pamela Knab, Randy Gladney, George Lett, Madeline Belton, Lio, Nick White, Michael, Shiwam Bandhoe, Catherine Spale, Lori Largent, Newton T, M.K, Louis Stern, Justin Maly, Andrew Kagan, Jeff, Robin Green, Boris Bayerman, Joe Verstraete, Jakob Ludwig, Eric Monley, Paul Kulessa, Rich C, Ben Davenport, User101010111010, Ian C, Dereck Wood Sr, Brittany Cloud, William Santiago, Randall Price, EvieJoy, Aaron Bailey, Shiva Kumar, Kenny Watts, Jayden Sundar, Maggie Ruh, Farruh Mahamadjanov, João Costa, Alex & Alicia Celcis, Prajesh Patel, Armando Luna, Chris Kessinger, Deon Johnson, Father Bills' Glue Gun Baptism, Nic Hoover, Jonny Porto, Noah Race, Nikita Mikhailevich, MichelleEcume, Janet La Valley, Myriam Robichaud, Lilly Carrillo, Matthew Robinson, Mark Fremmerlid, Emilia D., Michael Giacchino, Jose Javier, Wishah, TIM, Alex Frias, DukeOfBees, Cherry Speicher, Joe, Chris Sinn, Michael de la Morena, Gina Rapp, Testcellman, Jay Valiano, Mara Long, Terry Burgess, Matthew Ross, Jacob Keeling, Leah, Alex, Michael Neal, Lauri Boyd, Wes Ward, Antonio Westphalen, Chris Hopper, Malzerath, Anita Bowers, Antonia Staikova, Glenn Thomas Stokdal, Y K, Alexander Simone, Dot, Chris,

"Wild bee visitation unaffected by disparate nectar phenotypes in a sunflower inbred line population" with Dr. Jarrad Prasifka. Bees are important pollinators for sunflowers. But, just like humans, they also have preferences, which means it's important for sunflower breeders to breed the kinds of sunflowers that bees like best. In this episode, Dr. Jarrad Prasifka joins me to discuss sunflower nectar and how much it affects wild bee preferences for sunflower lines. Tune in to learn: ·         How sunflower lines are bred ·         How researchers check for bee preferences ·         How nectar phenotypes affect wild bee preferences in sunflower ·         Which other factors affect wild bee preferences in sunflower If you would like more information about this topic, this episode's paper is available here: https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.70093 This paper is always freely available. 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 Jarrad, you can find him here: Jarrad.Prasifka@ars.usda.gov Resources CEU Quiz: https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning-Center/Courses/Course-Detail?productid=%7b303FF088-DA39-F111-88B5-00224808D3E1%7d  Transcripts: https://www.rev.com/app/transcript/NjllMTRjNWM3NzQ2MzEwZDYwZDAxZjUzQ19FcFQxLVFkX2RC/o/VEMwOTU2NjY4ODM4  Xerces Society Wild Bees page: https://www.xerces.org/endangered-species/wild-bees Rachel Mallinger's Website: http://www.rachelmallinger.com/research.html Rachel Mallinger's Field, Lab, Earth podcast: https://fieldlabearth.libsyn.com/insect-pollinators-and-confection-sunflowers-with-dr-rachel-mallinger Review Article from Frontiers in Plant Science: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2018.00812/full Entomological Society of America Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entsocamerica/ Entomological Society of America Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/entsoc Entomological Society of America X: https://twitter.com/EntsocAmerica Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.

In case you missed it... Dom talks with Derrick Moot, Professor of Plant Science at Lincoln University, about the current state of Nitrogen supply in NZ, the inevitable rise in fertiliser prices due to the supply chain disruption in the Middle East and what mitigating factors can be applied in a NZ farming context. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

What if everything you think you know about nutrition is backwards… and the true source of all nutrients has been right in front of you the entire time? In this powerful solo episode, Darin breaks down one of the most fundamental, yet misunderstood, truths in biology: plants are the origin of nearly all life, energy, and nutrients on Earth. This isn't about ideology or diet trends, it's about core scientific principles that reshape how you think about food, energy transfer, and your place in the ecosystem. From photosynthesis and the origins of protein to the hidden inefficiencies of the food chain and the intelligence of soil microbiomes, this episode is a deep dive into why going closer to the source may be the most powerful shift you can make for your health, and the planet. What You'll Learn Why plants are the primary source of all nutrients and energy The science of photosynthesis and its role in sustaining life How the 10% energy transfer rule impacts your nutrition Why eating animals is essentially consuming "second-hand energy" The truth about protein, and why all amino acids originate from plants How soil microbiomes directly influence your health The real source of vitamins, minerals, and even oxygen Why phytoplankton produces up to 70% of Earth's oxygen The misconception around B12 and where it actually comes from How to think about food as a connection to the origin of life Chapters 00:00:03 – Opening: creating a roadmap to a SuperLife 00:00:33 – The plastic crisis and hidden everyday environmental impact 00:01:05 – Toxic exposure from common products like toothpaste 00:01:35 – Sustainable alternatives and reducing daily toxins 00:02:07 – Sponsor: Bite toothpaste and regenerative practices 00:02:48 – Opening the conversation: are you ready for a new perspective? 00:03:10 – The question no one asks: where do nutrients actually come from? 00:03:39 – Tracing food back to its true origin 00:04:08 – Every nutrient begins with plants 00:04:50 – Why Darin eats plant-based: beyond philosophy 00:05:24 – Strength, performance, and long-term plant-based living 00:05:55 – Science vs belief: shifting how you view food 00:06:05 – The foundational statement: all organic material originates from photosynthesis 00:06:21 – What photosynthesis really is and why it matters 00:06:44 – Plants as the base of every food chain 00:07:10 – Scientific confirmation: the foundation of life on Earth 00:07:54 – Plants as the only true producers of nutrients 00:08:07 – How sunlight becomes proteins, fats, and vitamins 00:08:51 – Photosynthesis as the source of all food and oxygen 00:09:06 – The biosphere's dependence on plant life 00:09:30 – What would happen if photosynthesis stopped 00:10:02 – The origin of photosynthesis billions of years ago 00:10:43 – Plants as the original creators of organic matter 00:11:09 – The Great Oxidation Event and the rise of oxygen 00:11:36 – Every breath you take comes from plants and phytoplankton 00:12:19 – Plants as the source of food, air, and life 00:12:39 – The thermodynamic argument for plant-based eating 00:13:10 – The 10% rule of energy transfer explained 00:13:45 – Why 90% of energy is lost between trophic levels 00:14:08 – What happens when you eat food: energy conversion 00:14:45 – From plant to cow to human: massive energy loss 00:15:08 – Why eating animals is highly inefficient 00:15:31 – Accessing nutrients at their origin 00:16:21 – Animals as processors, not creators, of nutrients 00:16:57 – "You're buying used goods": a new way to think about food 00:17:10 – Economic cost of second-hand energy 00:17:41 – Sponsor: Manna Vitality and frequency-based wellness 00:19:05 – Financial and nutritional inefficiency of animal products 00:19:55 – The protein myth: where amino acids really come from 00:20:28 – Essential amino acids and plant synthesis 00:21:02 – Plants as the origin of all protein building blocks 00:21:36 – Why animals don't create protein 00:22:04 – "Plants are the manufacturers, animals are the distributors" 00:22:34 – Energy loss through the food chain 00:23:02 – The microbiome connection: soil to gut 00:23:32 – Plants and microbes as a unified system 00:24:23 – Nitrogen fixation and why legumes are protein-rich 00:25:18 – Why there is no such thing as "no protein in plants" 00:25:53 – The hidden world of the soil microbiome 00:26:08 – Soil as a living ecosystem supporting plants 00:26:43 – The connection between soil, plants, and human health 00:27:18 – Eating plants as interacting with an ecosystem 00:27:53 – How microbes influence immunity and nutrient absorption 00:28:33 – Why animals are not the origin of nutrients 00:29:20 – Darin's global journey discovering nutrient-dense plants 00:29:55 – Going directly to the source vs relying on animals 00:30:31 – Where vitamins actually come from 00:31:05 – The truth about B12 and microorganisms 00:31:41 – Why animals are not the true source of B12 00:32:23 – Practical approach to B12 supplementation 00:32:56 – Minerals: from soil to plant to human 00:33:30 – How animals get minerals from plants 00:34:01 – Bioavailability and how to optimize plant nutrition 00:34:38 – Phytoplankton and oxygen production 00:35:17 – The core realization: plants are the origin of everything 00:35:51 – Darin's 20-year plant-based journey 00:36:18 – Eliminating the "middleman" in nutrition 00:36:53 – Moving closer to the source with every meal 00:37:16 – Closing: increasing connection to the source of life     Thank You to Our Sponsors Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order.     Join the SuperLife Patreon: This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices Join now for only $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien     Connect with Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences Platform & Products: superlife.com New Show: Roadmap to Happiness     Key Takeaway: "Every nutrient you consume, every breath you take, every ounce of energy in your body can be traced back to one place—plants. The closer you move to that source, the more efficient, direct, and connected your nutrition becomes. Everything else is just a step removed from the origin of life itself."     Bibliography/Sources: Primary Production & Photosynthesis as Nutritional Origin Blankenship, R. E., et al. (n.d.). Photosynthesis. PubMed Central. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5264509/  Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. (n.d.). Photosynthesis. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/photosynthesis  Nature Education. (n.d.). Photosynthetic cells. Scitable. https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/photosynthetic-cells-14025371/  Evolutionary History of Photosynthesis Imperial College London. (2021). Photosynthesis could be as old as life itself. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210324142839.htm  Phytoplankton and Oceanic Oxygen Production NASA Earth Observatory. (n.d.). What are phytoplankton? NASA. https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/Phytoplankton  National Ocean Service. (n.d.). How much oxygen comes from the ocean? National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/ocean-oxygen.html  Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. (n.d.). Does the ocean produce oxygen? Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. https://www.whoi.edu/ocean-learning-hub/ocean-facts/does-the-ocean-produce-oxygen/  Trophic Energy Transfer (The 10% Rule) Biology LibreTexts. (n.d.). 46.2C: Transfer of energy between trophic levels. Boundless Biology. https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_General_Biology/General_Biology_(Boundless)/46:_Ecosystems/46.02:_Energy_Flow_through_Ecosystems/46.2C:_Transfer_of_Energy_between_Trophic_Levels  University of Michigan. (n.d.). The flow of energy from primary production to higher trophic levels. Introduction to Global Change. https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/globalchange/lectures/flow-of-energy/  Wikipedia. (n.d.). Trophic level. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trophic_level  Plant Amino Acid Synthesis Hildebrandt, T. M., et al. (2021). Amino acids in plants: Regulation and functions in development and stress defense. Frontiers in Plant Science. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8559698/  Soil-Plant-Human Microbiome Connection & Vitamin B12 Origin Raaijmakers, J. M., & Mazzola, M. (2020). Healthy soils for healthy plants for healthy humans: How beneficial microbes in the soil, food and gut are interconnected. EMBO Reports, 21(8). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7403703/ Nitrogen Fixation Mahmud, K., et al. (2020). Current progress in nitrogen fixing plants and microbiome research. Plants. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7020401/  New Mexico State University Extension. (n.d.). Nitrogen fixation by legumes. NMSU. https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_a/A129/ Mineral Cycling and Nutrient Origin Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. (n.d.). Biosphere — Nutrient cycling. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/biosphere/Nutrient-cycling  Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. (n.d.). Nutrition in plants. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/nutrition/Nutrition-in-plants Phytoplankton as Foundation of Life Falkowski, P. (2012). Ocean science: The power of plankton. Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/483S17a

On today's REX Daily Podcast, Dom talks with Derrick Moot, Professor of Plant Science at Lincoln University, about the current state of Nitrogen supply in NZ, the inevitable rise in fertiliser prices due to the supply chain disruption in the Middle East and what mitigating factors can be applied in a NZ farming context... He talks with Silver Fern Farms Limited CEO Dan Bolton about its 2025 financial result, what factors are behind the $70m turnaround and how it's handling the current geopolitical disruptions... And he talks with Richard Lindroos, NZ National Fieldays Society CEO, about the water infrastructure at Mystery Creek being upgraded with the help of a Regional Infrastructure Fund loan of $1.35 million, why it's important for the infrastructure to be upgraded and what other projects have been identified as being crucial for the longevity of the venue. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

Dom talks with Derrick Moot, Professor of Plant Science at Lincoln University, about the current state of Nitrogen supply in NZ, the inevitable rise in fertiliser prices due to the supply chain disruption in the Middle East and what mitigating factors can be applied in a NZ farming context. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

Before everything could come up roses, there had to be a primordial flower – the mother, and father, of all flowers. Now scientists are on the hunt for it. The eFlower project aims to explain the sudden appearance of flowering plants in the fossil record, what Darwin called an “abominable mystery.” Meanwhile, ancient flowers encased in amber or preserved in tar are providing clues about how ecosystems might respond to changing climates. And, although it was honed by evolution for billions of years, can we make photosynthesis more efficient and help forestall a global food crisis? Guests: Eva-Maria Sadowski - Post doctoral paleobotanist at the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin Regan Dunn - Paleobotanist and assistant Curator at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum Royal Krieger - Rosarian and volunteer at the Morcom Rose Garden, Oakland, California Ruby Stephens - Plant ecology PhD candidate at Macquarie University in Australia, and member of the eFlower Project Stephen Long - Professor of Plant Science, University of Illinois Descripción en español Originally aired March 13, 2023 Featuring music by Dewey Dellay and Jun Miyake You can get early access to ad-free versions of every episode by joining us on Patreon. Thanks for your support! Big Picture Science is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to inquire about advertising on Big Picture Science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before everything could come up roses, there had to be a primordial flower – the mother, and father, of all flowers. Now scientists are on the hunt for it. The eFlower project aims to explain the sudden appearance of flowering plants in the fossil record, what Darwin called an “abominable mystery.” Meanwhile, ancient flowers encased in amber or preserved in tar are providing clues about how ecosystems might respond to changing climates. And, although it was honed by evolution for billions of years, can we make photosynthesis more efficient and help forestall a global food crisis? Guests: Eva-Maria Sadowski - Post doctoral paleobotanist at the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin Regan Dunn - Paleobotanist and assistant Curator at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum Royal Krieger - Rosarian and volunteer at the Morcom Rose Garden, Oakland, California Ruby Stephens - Plant ecology PhD candidate at Macquarie University in Australia, and member of the eFlower Project Stephen Long - Professor of Plant Science, University of Illinois Descripción en español Originally aired March 13, 2023 Featuring music by Dewey Dellay and Jun Miyake You can get early access to ad-free versions of every episode by joining us on Patreon. Thanks for your support! Big Picture Science is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to inquire about advertising on Big Picture Science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hatred is one of the most destructive human emotions, responsible for some of the greatest atrocities that humans have committed against each other. But why did it evolve in the first place? What is the evolutionary advantage of hating someone? Why is hate the ‘evil twin' of love? And will we ever be able to ‘treat' hatred and open the door to a utopian world of peaceful coexistence?This lecture was recorded by Robin May on the 4th of March 2026 at Bernard's Inn Hall, LondonProfessor of Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham, and (interim) Chief Scientist at the UK Health Security Agency, Robin May was appointed Gresham Professor of Physic in May 2022. Between July 2020 and September 2025 he served as Chief Scientific Adviser at the Food Standards Agency (FSA).Professor May's early training was in Plant Sciences at the University of Oxford, followed by a PhD on mammalian cell biology at University College London and the University of Birmingham. After postdoctoral research on gene silencing at the Hubrecht Laboratory, The Netherlands, he returned to the UK in 2005 to establish a research program on human infectious diseases. He was Director of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection at the University of Birmingham from 2017-2020. Professor May continues his work on Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham. A Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Wolfson Royal Society Research Merit Fellow and Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, Professor May specialises in research into human infectious diseases, with a particular focus on how pathogens survive and replicate within host organisms.As the FSA's Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor May provides expert scientific advice to the UK government and plays a critical role in helping to understand how scientific developments will shape the work of the FSA, as well as the strategic implications of any possible changes.The transcript of the lecture is available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/why-hateGresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. There are currently over 2,500 lectures free to access. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham College's mission, please consider making a donation: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/get-involved/support-us/make-donation/donate-today Website:  https://gresham.ac.ukX: https://x.com/GreshamCollegeFacebook: https://facebook.com/greshamcollegeInstagram: https://instagram.com/greshamcollegeBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/greshamcollege.bsky.social TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greshamcollegeSupport Us: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/get-involved/support-us/make-donation/donate-todaySupport the show

Welcome to The Turf Zone Podcast. This episode features the article “Art and Resilience: The Pollinator Garden at the UT Arboretum” by Mike Ross, Associate Professor of Plant Sciences and Jakob Johnson, UT Plant Sciences, Master of Landscape Architecture Student. As our relationship with Nature and access to natural spaces have become increasingly constrained by urban and suburban growth, we have seen a growing desire by homeowners, parks and municipalities for naturalistic landscapes that showcase plants as communities. This naturalistic planting design often seeks to abstract naturally occurring ecological habitats and put them in a context that, allows people to interact with the plants and their associates in more intentional ways. Pocket prairies, urban meadows, pollinator gardens, even rain gardens can serve these naturalistic functions that whether in bloom or in winter dormancy, can inspire the heart and captivate the mind. One such place is the Michelle Bradley Campanis Pollinator Garden at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The pollinator garden has developed into something really special during the last five years. In many ways this special garden resource serves as a prime example of resilience in design and the blending of that resilience with the art of landscape and planting design. My involvement with this project dates back to June 2020. At the time I had been at the University of Tennessee for almost a year and with covid, all educational programs, field days, master gardener and outreach events had moved online. I had been asked by the UT Arboretum team to give a talk on ecological landscape design. During the presentation I mentioned that I thought there should be a wildflower center in every state. This was something I brought up during my job interview back in 2019. I still feel strongly about that need. At the talk in 2020, the idea of a wildflower center for Tennessee resonated with Michelle Campanis, who is the Education Coordinator at the UT Arboretum who was at the zoom meeting. She reached out and said they had an area at the Arboretum that would be a great place for a meadow…would I be interested in helping to create it? And so began a multi-year collaboration with the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center (REC), Tennessee Naturescapes, undergraduate PLSC students from the Sustainable Landscape Design concentration in the Herbert College of Agriculture, and graduate students from the School of Landscape Architecture in the College of Architecture and Design. Brainstorming and Breaking Ground: Planning the First Steps Our initial discussions centered around a stretch of ground that was next to the recently constructed auditorium and its extensive rain garden. The ground that was identified had become a field of invasive plants, weeds, and assorted woody shrubs and small trees. The team's idea was to create a space that provided visual appeal from the auditorium and that also would contribute to future educational programs that, like the rain garden, could be focused on sustainable and resilient landscapes. In keeping with that charge, it was determined that in addition to shedding the invasive field we would use fire, herbicide, and solarization as ways to suppress the significant invasive species pressure on the site. Michelle led volunteers through weeding and prepping the site, Kevin Hoyt, the director of the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center and the Arboretum staff oversaw bush hogging, prescribed burns, and pesticide application. Don Williams and Tennessee Naturescapes provided the solarization material and I began working with students and research assistants to develop initial plant lists. The key to successful projects like this one that relies on using abstracted ecosystems is the ability to convey the concept across all collaborative partners. The effective control of invasive and weedy species in the selected site and the shared vision for the pollinator garden were essential for keeping the project moving forward across the last four years. Art and Resilience in Landscape Design An intentional landscape plan is at its most evocative when it marries art and science to varying degrees to bring about experientially rich moments for people to interact with their designed surroundings. It can take the form of extravagant fountains and terracing like the Italian renaissance garden at Villa d'Este or the over-the-top grandeur of French baroque landscape designs of master paysagiste, Andre Le Notre, or perhaps our more familiar works from Frederick Law Olmsted and Jens Jensen. However, as evocative as these landscapes are, they were not conceived within a conceptual framework that accounted for an understanding of ecology as a discreet science nor to anticipate disturbance regimes that included wildfire, site construction, drought or flooding. This is precisely where the pollinator garden fits into our contemporary sphere of landscape design practice. The art of planting design, the artful shape, color, and texture of the plants utilized balanced with the realities of ever-changing precipitation, management regimes, unpredictable weather and scheduling approvals for prescribed burn permits, and fluctuating volunteer schedules and knowledge bases. All impact the success and perception of the project. At the end of the day, the pollinator garden must be both beautiful and functional. It must serve the educational and ecological goals of the REC, as well as benefitting the casual visitor to the Arboretum. It needs to support the well-attended annual Butterfly Festival and other University field days that are part of the education and outreach component of the land grant mission that the REC serves. It must above all support pollinators and their diverse life histories. The resilience and the art must be linked for the project to succeed. The Significance of People as Part of an Informed Design Process A key component in this project has always been the students and volunteers who have dedicated so much time and invested so much of themselves to this undertaking. Whether planting, weeding, constructing, maintaining accessible circulation, or controlling invasive plants; through their efforts we have been able to make this project happen. With that said, I think it is particularly meaningful when the work allows student interactions with the garden to reinforce and teach meaningful skills that can shape their own understanding of the profession of landscape design and management. Students working as part of the Living Systems Design Group and the Ross lab developed plans, researched plant material, learned how to design on-site, set up and space plants, use technology, review spreadsheets, and managed the prairie and meadow ecosystem establishment. In some cases, I would bring my graduate and undergraduate classes out to help with planting. More than once, I had the distinct honor of teaching a beginner student how to plant a plant. While this may seem small or trivial, it illustrates how even students who are drawn to landscape and horticulture may have had very limited past opportunity to plant, grow, and interact with vegetation beyond the occasional house plant. The work we have undertaken at the UT Arboretum has shaped the professional practice and career aspirations of many students. This outcome is further evidence of the immense value that hands-on experiential learning has for future designers, landscape architects, professional gardeners, horticulturists, and landscape managers. Ongoing Lessons Learned in Managing a Designed Ecological System As the pollinator garden has continued to establish and grow, there have been key management and maintenance decisions that we have made that will shape its long-term success. First and foremost, controlling invasive and weedy plant encroachment is key to maintaining the structure and visual impact of the garden. Woody plants, even native ones, can markedly change the form and structure if allowed to establish in the meadow. While intentional use of woody plants for their structural and aesthetic contributions must be maintained, careful removal of woody seedlings plus annual burning has helped us keep the invasive and weedy plants in check. Fire, manual removal, ethical and judicious use of herbicides each contribute key roles in controlling plant compositions throughout the garden. Some species, such as goldenrods (Solidago sp., dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium), and asters (Symphyotrichum and Eurybria sp.) were always planned to be intentional parts of the project, yet these plant species were not intentionally planted or purchased; we knew from past experience that these species would naturally find their own way into our meadow plots and could be expected to colonize on their own. By that same logic, our expectation has also meant that some individuals of these species can show up anywhere and can regenerate in great profusion if left unmanaged. For these plant species, proper thinning, selective removal, and well timed cutting all aid in keeping these important pollinator plants behaving as good neighbors to the rest of the meadow community. Additionally, when plants are weeded and pulled up, native seed from flowering annual species that we intend to keep well represented in the design, are purposefully re-applied into areas of soil disturbance. In this way, there is propagule competition with the weedy species, and this interaction helps to offset the natural suppressive effect of longer-lived perennial plants on early colonizing annuals. Finally, because the garden exists as an interactive educational space, maintaining and managing circulation and pathways is an ongoing task. Plants mature and spread, sometimes obscuring pathways or sprawling into areas that are intended for more contemplative experiences. Thinning and plant relocation are important tasks needed for keeping the structure and design vision in place. All of this effort is dependent on volunteers and students who are coordinated by Michelle Campanis. Through continued effort and dedication, the garden is establishing nicely and keeping the vision flexible and resilient while not losing sight of the initial concept. A Look Into the Future As the project moves forward through the establishment and management phase, plants will continue to be added or subtracted. This is necessary to restate important design concepts, improve the aesthetic appeal, and keep up with the educational opportunities and needs of the UT Arboretum and REC. Final Thoughts The first formal discussions of this project that I was involved in began in June 2020 and this coming spring of 2026 the project receives its official name, the Michelle Bradley Campanis Pollinator Garden. While its official establishment date is attributed to 2022, the reality is that projects like this take years of dedicated work, advocacy, and commitment by many people, professionals, students and volunteers. We would like to thank Michelle Campanis, Don Williams, Kevin Hoyt, Jakob Johnson, Hailey Wright, JD Zimmerman, and my students past, present, and future that have and will work on the pollinator garden to help care for it into the future. Student's Perspective – Jakob's Experience By Jacob Johnson During my time at The University of Tennessee I have had the opportunity to work with professors who saw the value of engaging students in projects with real world implications. In our digital age the value of hands-on learning experiences is exponentially important. With the reality of the direction of education experiences that can now be fully gained online, the value of face to face or hands to dirt learning is something that can never be fully replaced. There is immense importance in actually seeing how hard work can lead to the physical manifestation of an idea. As I was nearing the end of my undergraduate studies in Sustainability, I was still unsure of how I wanted to utilize the knowledge I had gained in the classroom. Through a series of experiences being on site and taking the classroom outside to the world I discovered my true passion. My first experience with the UT meadow began in April 2022, while I was pursuing my undergraduate degree in sustainability with a minor in plant sciences. During this first visit to the arboretum I didn't know much about real world implementation of planting design…I knew how to dig a hole to its proper depth and to break up root bound plants, I knew how to identify certain plants that I was looking at, I knew the value in what these ecosystems provide, and I knew that I was excited to be a part of something bigger than myself. During this initial phase of the project I had the opportunity and guidance of Mike to mark out the boundaries for the planting zones, strategically stage the plants so there was structure, areas of reveal and lines of sight. Tasks that may seem minor to the average gardener, but these tasks would help jumpstart my pursuit of a career in Landscape Architecture. The next visit to the UT Arboretum was as a class, we began the laborious process of digging hundreds of holes for the plugs and containerized plants with the hope that the site would become a place where people and nature can meet or reconnect. Getting the opportunity to work under someone that is so knowledgeable in a field of study which aims to build and support communities of people and plants was an honorable task. It taught me that it was much more than just placing plants in the landscape, it was conversations about the plant communities and the species they support, the structural variation creating moments of wonder and others of reveal, it was about the intentionality of having bursts of color in moments along the path, and conversations about how amazing this place will be. It was through these types of conversations I was ignited with an inspiration that I too could gain these skills and knowledge to create places that provide beauty to our world while creating opportunities for essential ecological services to be provided. Upon graduating with my degree in Sustainability I began a summer job in landscape construction and that fall would begin my pursuit of my master's in landscape architecture. After about 3 years from the time I first helped plant at the arboretum I was invited back, this time to utilize the skills and knowledge I had been gaining through graduate school. My task this time was to help establish formalities in the design that assist in creating a sense of arrival into the meadow, as well as create opportunities for gathering. Through the collaboration and support of Michelle Campanis and Kevin Hoyt and oversight of Mike Ross I was entrusted with my first stand-alone landscape construction project. With the use of recycled on-site stone, I constructed planter beds to support Tiger Eye Sumac specimens (Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger') to create a gathering space in the middle of the meadow. The entrance for the meadow was designed by Mike Ross and Margaret Mando (a fellow UTK School of Landscape Architecture student) and I was given the opportunity to do detailed construction design, material selection and sourcing as well as the actual building of the entrance. It has allowed me to create, to problem solve and to feel the fulfillment of turning something from just an idea on paper into a physical manifestation in the landscape. From my first experience of walking into a barren field of dirt to walking through the meadow and seeing a diverse mix of Carolina lupine, rattlesnake master, columbine, bee balm, big blue stem, husker red penstemon, false blue indigo, milkweed, mountain mint, and many more plants, I have sharpened my skills and sensibility as a designer, I have built relationships with people and the land, I have deepened my appreciation for our natural world and more importantly found a cause that I want to dedicate my life to…. creating places where people can feel a sense of wonder, beauty, peace and learn with nature. Through the opportunity and foresight of people like Michelle Campanis, Kevin Hoyt, Mike Ross and many more I have realized the true power and impact that a single experience of hands-on learning can provide to someone that is still learning and developing their place in the world. For these experiences I am eternally grateful. You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on X, Facebook and LinkedIn for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more. Visit www.theturfzone.com for more. The post Art and Resilience: The Pollinator Garden at the UT Arboretum appeared first on The Turf Zone.

Tue, Mar 3 5:17 PM → 6:00 PM Steam leak in basement of plant science complex college park md Radio Systems: - Prince Georges County MD

Tue, Mar 3 5:17 PM → 6:00 PM Steam leak in basement of plant science complex college park md Radio Systems: - Prince Georges County MD

Dr. Donald L. Smith is the Distinguished James McGill Professor in the Department of Plant Science at McGill University. He is also CEO of BioFuelNet Canada, Head of Biomass Canada, and Head of the McGill Network for Innovation on Biofuels and Bioproduct. Don's research examines relationships between plants and the microbes that live in association with them, particularly in the roots. He and his collaborators have discovered evidence of signaling between plants and microbes, including microbial signaling that causes plants to grow better. They also uncovered that plants respond much more strongly to signals in the presence of drought or cold stress. Now they are expanding their investigations to examine a wide range of plant-associated microbes to better understand the signals they send and how they may impact plant health and resilience. Outside of the lab, Don loves to unwind and recharge by going on walks and reading great novels. He is also an avid traveler who enjoys blending work with trips to new places whenever possible, turning conferences and collaborations into opportunities to explore the world. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Acadia University and his PhD from the University of Guelph. Afterwards, he worked as an Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Postdoctoral Fellow at Agriculture Canada before joining the faculty at McGill University in 1985. Over the course of his career, Don has received many awards and honors, including, the Clean50 award for contributions to sustainable development and clean capitalism in Canada and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, in this case for significant contributions to intelligent agriculture . He is also a Fellow of the Canadian Society of Agronomy, and he served as a Member of the Canada-US think tank on climate change and agriculture in North Eastern North America. In our interview, Don shares more about his life and science.

Nobody likes termites. They get into the wood in our homes and can lead to infuriating and expensive repairs. What’s to like? It turns out, there’s a lot to like about termites. Scientists study how they build their mounds for clues to solving some of the world’s most pressing problems, like mitigating the effects of drought, building colonies on Mars, and creating biofuels. Plus, their ability to adapt to the harshest conditions over millions of years says a lot about them. Almost 90% of the microbes found in their guts are unique to the termite. Those same gut microbes are what make them so productive and, on the flip side, so destructive. Lastly, some believe termites work with joy and have a soul. You be the judge. GUESTS: Jennifer Dacey: An entomologist and a wildlife biologist and integrated pest management technician in the UConn Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture Lisa Margonelli: Author of Underbug: An Obsessive Tale of Termites and Technology Mick Pearce: An architect The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe, Lydia Brown, and Jonathan McNicol contributed to this show, which originally aired August 29, 2018.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grieving is a uniquely human emotion – or is it? Is the apparent attachment of elephants or orcas to the bodies of dead relatives a sign of grief, or simply an instinctive behaviour without emotional implications? Why do some people seem able to handle grief so much better than others? And how close are we to finding a pharmaceutical ‘cure' for grief…and if we find it, should we use it?This lecture was recorded by Professor Robin May on the 21st of January 2026 at Barnard's Inn Hall, LondonProfessor of Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham, and (interim) Chief Scientist at the UK Health Security Agency, Robin May was appointed Gresham Professor of Physic in May 2022. Between July 2020 and September 2025 he served as Chief Scientific Adviser at the Food Standards Agency (FSA).Professor May's early training was in Plant Sciences at the University of Oxford, followed by a PhD on mammalian cell biology at University College London and the University of Birmingham. After postdoctoral research on gene silencing at the Hubrecht Laboratory, The Netherlands, he returned to the UK in 2005 to establish a research program on human infectious diseases. He was Director of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection at the University of Birmingham from 2017-2020. Professor May continues his work on Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham. A Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Wolfson Royal Society Research Merit Fellow and Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, Professor May specialises in research into human infectious diseases, with a particular focus on how pathogens survive and replicate within host organisms.As the FSA's Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor May provides expert scientific advice to the UK government and plays a critical role in helping to understand how scientific developments will shape the work of the FSA, as well as the strategic implications of any possible changes.The transcript of the lecture is available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/why-grieveGresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. There are currently over 2,500 lectures free to access. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham College's mission, please consider making a donation: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/get-involved/support-us/make-donation/donate-today Website:  https://gresham.ac.ukX: https://x.com/GreshamCollegeFacebook: https://facebook.com/greshamcollegeInstagram: https://instagram.com/greshamcollegeBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/greshamcollege.bsky.social TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greshamcollegeSupport Us: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/get-involved/support-us/make-donation/donate-todaySupport the show

Lo importante es invisible a los ojos, como decía El Principito. Y en el mundo de las plantas, la parte más escondida y a menudo menos valorada son sus raíces. Precisamente, las plantas de raíz profunda, capaces de acceder al agua situada a más de 20 metros bajo tierra, son un pilar ecológico esencial para los ecosistemas áridos de todo el mundo. Retamas, tamarices o azufaifos, entre muchos otros, fijan el suelo, retienen agua y carbono, y refuerzan la resiliencia de los ecosistemas áridos. Y sin embargo, el cambio climático y la actividad humana están perjudicando a estas plantas, lo que puede acelerar la desertificación. Cuando la capa freática baja por debajo de la zona donde llegan las raíces, las comunidades vegetales pasan a depender exclusivamente de la lluvia y se vuelven mucho más vulnerables a las sequías.Lo cuenta un artículo publicado en la prestigiosa revista Trends in Plant Science y firmado por el investigador del CREAF y del CSIC Josep Peñuelas. Y la solución pasa por mantener los beneficios que nos ofrecen, lo que implica proteger los acuíferos con regulaciones estrictas sobre la extracción de agua subterránea, aplicar pastura rotacional para evitar tanto el sobrepastoreo como la compactación del suelo, y reforzar la salud del suelo con prácticas como la rotación de cultivos. Además de incluir el conocimiento tradicional de las comunidades locales.Haz gestos...Escuchar audio

Laughter is an incredibly powerful and yet mysterious emotion. We laugh with delight, but also surprise. We laugh at jokes, but also at embarrassment. Why? What subconscious signal is laughter intended to display? Why do we laugh when someone tickles us and what should we make of the fact that rodents do it too? And why is it that people's sense of humour differs wildly and yet some drugs can send us all into fits of the giggles, even if there is nothing to laugh at?This lecture was recorded by Robin May on the 12th of November 2025 at Bernard's Inn Hall, LondonProfessor of Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham, and (interim) Chief Scientist at the UK Health Security Agency, Robin May was appointed Gresham Professor of Physic in May 2022. Between July 2020 and September 2025 he served as Chief Scientific Adviser at the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Professor May's early training was in Plant Sciences at the University of Oxford, followed by a PhD on mammalian cell biology at University College London and the University of Birmingham. After postdoctoral research on gene silencing at the Hubrecht Laboratory, The Netherlands, he returned to the UK in 2005 to establish a research program on human infectious diseases. He was Director of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection at the University of Birmingham from 2017-2020. Professor May continues his work on Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham. A Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Wolfson Royal Society Research Merit Fellow and Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, Professor May specialises in research into human infectious diseases, with a particular focus on how pathogens survive and replicate within host organisms.As the FSA's Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor May provides expert scientific advice to the UK government and plays a critical role in helping to understand how scientific developments will shape the work of the FSA, as well as the strategic implications of any possible changes.The transcript of the lecture is available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/why-laughGresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. There are currently over 2,500 lectures free to access. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham College's mission, please consider making a donation: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/get-involved/support-us/make-donation/donate-today Website:  https://gresham.ac.ukX: https://x.com/GreshamCollegeFacebook: https://facebook.com/greshamcollegeInstagram: https://instagram.com/greshamcollegeBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/greshamcollege.bsky.social TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greshamcollegeSupport Us: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/get-involved/support-us/make-donation/donate-todaySupport the show

In this episode of Two Bees in a Podcast, Amy Vu and Dr. Jamie Ellis discuss honey bee viruses with Dr. Michelle Flenniken, professor in the Department of Plant Science and Plant Pathology at Montana State University. This episode ends with a Q&A segment. Check out our website: www.ufhoneybee.com for additional resources from today's episode. 

This week, Rose and Crystal talk with chef, creator, and Make It Japanese author Rie McClenny about bridging cultures through food — and what it means to make “simple recipes for everyone” without losing the soul of home cooking. From her viral BuzzFeed Tasty days and the beloved Make It Fancy series to her new life as a cookbook author, Rie shares how she found her voice in the crowded world of online food. Along the way, the trio swaps stories about Cooking for Mr. Latte and Veg-table, and how cooking — Japanese or otherwise — always comes back to comfort, creativity, and connection.Mentioned in this episode:Amanda Hesser, “Cooking for Mr. Latte: A Food Lover's Courtship, with Recipes”Buzzfeed Tasty - Make It FancyNik Sharma, “Veg-table: Recipes, Techniques, and Plant Science for Big-Flavored, Vegetable-Focused Meals”Kitchen Tape is hosted by Rose Wilde ⁠@trosewilde⁠ and Crystal Slonecker ⁠@crystalslonecker⁠, edited by Dressler Parsons  ⁠@dresslerparsons⁠ of The Regenerative Baking Podcast, with original theme music by Dan Crabtree.Follow us on Instagram ⁠@kitchentapepodcast⁠ and hit like and subscribe to stay up to date on new episodes and behind-the-scenes crumbs.

Discover how innovative drip irrigation technologies are transforming water management and boosting efficiency in farming. Mike Hemman, Netafim Senior Vice President of North America, shares his journey from crop protection to leading irrigation solutions, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in modern agriculture. Tune in to explore the future of precision farming and the vital role of water conservation across the globe. *** Show Notes: Ag Solutions Network Socials: https://www.agsolutionsnetwork.com/agemergepodcast https://www.facebook.com/ASN.farm https://www.linkedin.com/company/agsolutionsnetwork https://twitter.com/POWER2GRO https://www.instagram.com/agsolutionsnetwork/ Ag Solutions Network website: https://www.agsolutionsnetwork.com/ Click to watch or listen and as always, let us know if you have any questions or guest ideas by emailing ​contactus@agsolutionsnetwork.com​. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Drip Irrigation 00:06:00 - Mike Hemman's Journey 00:12:00 - Innovative Irrigation Solutions 00:18:00 - Water Conservation and Efficiency 00:24:00 - Future of Precision Farming 00:30:00 - Challenges in Water Management 00:36:00 - The Role of Technology in Agriculture 00:42:00 - Sustainable Farming Practices 00:48:00 - Netafim's Global Impact 00:54:00 - Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook *** *** Introducing the Ag Modernization Fund Water basins are strained across the nation, and while modern irrigation remains one of the fastest and most proven ways to improve water use efficiency, many farmers still face barriers to accessing the financing for installing the latest systems. To address this challenge, Orbia, Netafim USA along with California Water Resilience Initiative (CWRI), launched the Ag Modernization Fund, a first-of-its-kind investment vehicle that pools private-sector capital to directly fund irrigation upgrades for growers. Backed by Keurig Dr Pepper, Gilead Sciences, and General Mills, the fund closed in 2025 with $300,000, already supporting five farms spanning 200 acres. These projects, to be completed within the year, are projected to reduce water use by 491 acre-feet — nearly 159 million gallons annually, enough to fill 241 Olympic-sized pools. This fund is also listed on the UN-backed CEO Water Mandate's Water Action Hub, aligning with global sustainability goals to address water stress across 100 priority basins worldwide — 8 of which are in the United States. About Our Guest: Mike Hemman - SVP, Netafim North America Division Mike joined Netafim, Orbia Precision Agriculture business, in 2019 as the President of Netafim USA and was promoted to Senior Vice President of North America in 2024. He has been instrumental in driving strategic growth and expanding profit margins through innovative market strategies, customer segmentation, product lifecycle management, and improvements in supply chain and manufacturing efficiencies. With multiple decades of experience in the crop protection and seed industry, Mike has held key commercial leadership positions at DuPont, Corteva, and Pioneer Seed. His extensive background in biologicals, fertility, crop protection, seed, and irrigation give him a unique cross-sector perspective on the agricultural industry. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Science from California State University, Fresno, where he also pursued Master of Science coursework in agronomy. He is currently a member of the Executive Board of the Irrigation Association and has previously served on the boards of the Agricultural Retailers Association, Western Plant Health Association, and California Association of Pest Control Advisers.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Bruce Bugbee to discuss what modern plant science is revealing about how we grow today. We dive deep into topics like lighting science, VPD, precision stress techniques, microplastics, and how research continues to shape best practices for growers. Dr. Bugbee shares insights from decades of experience and data-backed studies that challenge conventional thinking. If you're passionate about plant science and want to understand the real factors driving growth and quality, this episode is a must-watch.Support the show

Fear is one of the earliest emotions to have evolved. Most vertebrates – and possibly some invertebrates – show fear when they are threatened. At its most core, fear keeps us alive, helping us flee from predators or avoid dangerous environments. But why does this process sometimes backfire, leaving us paralysed by otherwise harmless phobias? And why do so many people deliberately seek out fearful situations, from horror movies to parachute jumps, when instinct tells us to do the opposite? Can understanding the biology of fear help us conquer it, or simply make us more vulnerable to its impact?This lecture was recorded by Robin May on the 1st of October 2025 at Bernards Inn Hall, LondonProfessor of Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham, and (interim) Chief Scientist at the UK Health Security Agency, Robin May was appointed Gresham Professor of Physic in May 2022. Between July 2020 and September 2025 he served as Chief Scientific Adviser at the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Professor May's early training was in Plant Sciences at the University of Oxford, followed by a PhD on mammalian cell biology at University College London and the University of Birmingham. After postdoctoral research on gene silencing at the Hubrecht Laboratory, The Netherlands, he returned to the UK in 2005 to establish a research program on human infectious diseases. He was Director of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection at the University of Birmingham from 2017-2020. Professor May continues his work on Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham. A Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Wolfson Royal Society Research Merit Fellow and Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, Professor May specialises in research into human infectious diseases, with a particular focus on how pathogens survive and replicate within host organisms.As the FSA's Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor May provides expert scientific advice to the UK government and plays a critical role in helping to understand how scientific developments will shape the work of the FSA, as well as the strategic implications of any possible changes.The transcript of the lecture is available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/why-fearGresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. There are currently over 2,500 lectures free to access. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham College's mission, please consider making a donation: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/get-involved/support-us/make-donation/donate-today Website:  https://gresham.ac.ukX: https://x.com/GreshamCollegeFacebook: https://facebook.com/greshamcollegeInstagram: https://instagram.com/greshamcollegeBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/greshamcollege.bsky.social TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greshamcollegeSupport Us: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/get-involved/support-us/make-donation/donate-todaySupport the show

PHPod host Jack Mellom speaks with Andy Pulte, professor and undergraduate coordinator of the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, about the complex interactions between plants and public health.

In this episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Sara Bauder, SDSU Extension Forage Field Specialist, talks about her work developing forage programs across South Dakota. She breaks down what makes regional forage systems unique, how growers can better manage crops during dry years, and why building strong networks matters. You'll also hear how the Northern Plains Forage Association is helping connect and support producers. Tune in now on all major platforms!"Forages often get pushed aside in row crop rotations, yet they play a key role in covering soil and enhancing system resilience."Meet the guest: Sara Bauder serves as the Extension Forage Field Specialist at South Dakota State University. With a background in agronomy and a Master's in Plant Science, her work emphasizes forage management, grower education, and inter-state collaboration across the Northern Plains.Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!What you will learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:16) Introduction(04:51) Forage programs(07:43) Regional forages(11:46) Northern Plains Forage Association(16:08) Networking opportunities(23:56) Drought management tips(28:16) Final three questionsThe Crop Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:- KWS

In this episode of Eye on the Triangle, we sit down with Dr. Adrian Percy, Executive Director of NC State's Plant Science Initiative. Dr. Percy shares insights on Seed2Grow, an innovative program that bridges research, industry, and entrepreneurship to tackle today's agricultural challenges. From supporting student innovation to strengthening global food security, Seed2Grow is helping turn groundbreaking plant science into real-world solutions. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Tina Sullivan from Kansas State University explores real-world challenges in water and crop management across diverse U.S. climates. She outlines irrigation practices across the U.S., shares current research on Kansas forage and soybean systems, and highlights region-specific tools for efficient water use. Learn how strategic agronomy is helping producers stay resilient. Listen now on all major platforms!"Several counties are starting to see salinity and sodicity issues in their soils, likely due to more wells tapping into smaller aquifers."Meet the guest: Dr. Tina Sullivan received her Ph.D. and M.S. in Plant Sciences from Utah State University and a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering Technology from the University of Tennessee at Martin. As an Assistant Professor and Northeast Area Agronomist at Kansas State University, she focuses on irrigation management, forage systems, and crop production challenges.Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!What you will learn:(00:00) Highlight(00:49) Introduction(05:38) Water quality trends(09:52) Utah vs. Kansas water use(13:45) Irrigation strategies(18:50) Drought-resilient genetics(24:39) Tools for water management(28:38) Final three questionsThe Crop Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:- KWS

We've long marveled at how efficiently plants convert sunlight into energy—but no one guessed they were using quantum mechanics to do it.In this episode, we speak with Greg Engel, a pioneering University of Chicago biophysicist who helped launch the field of quantum biology. Engel explains how plants and bacteria evolved to exploit quantum effects for photosynthesis—and how understanding these systems could spark a revolution in quantum sensing, medicine, and neuroscience.Engel's team has already built quantum sensors inspired by nature's designs, with the potential to transform how we detect disease, develop drugs, and even read neural signals. The ultimate goal? A new era of quantum medicine, powered by the weird and wonderful physics found in leaves.

In this episode, we hear about the remarkable life and legacy of Ireland's first female botanist, Ellen Hutchins.Featuring: Madeline Hutchins, who runs the Ellen Hutchins Festival and is Ellen's great-great-grandniece; Clare Heardman, co-founder and co-organiser of the Ellen Hutchins Festival; Virginia Teehan, CEO of The Heritage Council; Dr Colin Kelleher, keeper of the herbarium at the National Botanic Gardens; and Dr Eoin Lettice, lecturer in Plant Science at UCC.

Send us a textSubscribe and unleash your inner science goblin. We see you. We respect it.In this seed-sational episode of Wildly Curious, Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole dig into the unexpectedly wild world of seed dispersal. From coconuts floating across oceans to violets launching their seeds like botanical cannons, this episode explores the many weird and wonderful ways plants get around without walking.

Shane Sudia joins Kate & CG and they play a round of "Slaps or Cheeks?". Then they discuss how some people are using Chat GPT for therapy, college dorm roommates doing Irish Exits, and cloud seeding. They also get into how the "Annabelle the Doll Tour" lead and handler died while on the tour, a potential alien ship on its way due for the Fall, and why Shane chose Plant Science as his major. Follow on IG: @thekatewolff @cg.wolff @shane_sudiaSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/invasion-of-privacy/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today we welcome Ruth Vichos onto the R2Kast!

Red clover growers across Canada may soon have better tools to combat a damaging pest all while protecting pollinators. Jeremy Irvine, a PhD student in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan, is working to reduce reliance on insecticides in red clover seed production by targeting the lesser clover leaf weevil, a... Read More

Nobody likes termites. They get into the wood in our homes and can lead to infuriating and expensive repairs. What’s to like? It turns out, there’s a lot to like about termites. Scientists study how they build their mounds for clues to solving some of the world’s most pressing problems, like mitigating the effects of drought, building colonies on Mars, and creating biofuels. Plus, their ability to adapt to the harshest conditions over millions of years says a lot about them. Almost 90% of the microbes found in their guts are unique to the termite. Those same gut microbes are what make them so productive and, on the flip side, so destructive. Lastly, some believe termites work with joy and have a soul. You be the judge. GUESTS: Jennifer Dacey: An entomologist and a wildlife biologist and integrated pest management technician in the UConn Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture Lisa Margonelli: Author of Underbug: An Obsessive Tale of Termites and Technology Mick Pearce: An architect The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Jonathan McNicol contributed to this show, which originally aired August 29, 2018. Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career ClusterTM is critical for addressing global necessities, such as food security and sustainability. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are about 1.4 million jobs in this Career ClusterTM. So many opportunities for your students to succeed.  Are you looking to prepare students for careers in agriscience? Jacob Falwell joins us in this episode to discuss all things soil and plant science. Dr. Jacob Falwell holds a bachelor's degree in agriculture science and a master's degree and Ph.D. in agriculture education.   He's been teaching all things agriculture at Calloway County High School for over 20 years. With his support, his students have won 79 Future Farmers of America (FFA) state championships in 49 areas over the past 20 years. He's been named the Kentucky Agriculture Teacher of the Year twice. If there's any question you have about agriculture education, he's your guy.   In this episode, Jacob shares how to get students excited and engaged in soil and plant science, plus what career opportunities are available, and the skills your students need to succeed. We dive into what to teach, how to pace your curriculum (everything from mini units to monster units, to hands-on days), and the struggles and triumphs of agriculture educators. Sharing more than two decades of experience in the agriculture classroom, Jacob is sure to give you advice to help you succeed in the coming school year.   Learn more about our Agriscience and Technology Careers program here.  Connect with educators like Jacob in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here.  Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here.   

Discover the parts of a sunflower seed, how germination begins, and what helps a tiny seed grow into a towering plant in this fun nature study episode for kids. In the companion video class about Sunflowers included in the No Sweat Nature Study membership, students explore the sunflower's life cycle, label its parts, and create a nature journal page inspired by Van Gogh's famous sunflower art. Join No Sweat Nature Study at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership. Buy gift cards for friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study →  ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift Charter schools can purchase access to No Sweat Nature Study → ourjourneywestward.com/charter Visit the Sunflower show notes page to see a sunflower field. Click here for the list of nature book recommendations submitted by our listeners! Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

Which veggie wins the title of fastest-growing? Join Mrs. Cindy as we find out the answer and explore why some vegetables seem to grow almost overnight! In the companion True Vegetables Video Class included in the No Sweat Nature Study LIVE membership, discover how true vegetables are different from fruits and how important they are to human nutrition. In your nature journal, you'll create a life cycle of a true vegetable, as well as a comparison of true vegetables and fruits. Join No Sweat Nature Study at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership. Buy gift cards for friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study →  ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift Charter schools can purchase access to No Sweat Nature Study → ourjourneywestward.com/charter Visit the True Vegetables show notes page to see a radish! See the nature-themed booklist → book recommendations from YOU! Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

Join Mrs. Cindy to discover why peaches have a soft, fuzzy skin and how it helps them thrive in the summer heat. Learn about trichomes, their protective superpowers, and how each fruit has just what it needs to stay healthy. In the companion video class about peaches, have even more juicy fun as you draw and label a peach's parts, study its life cycle, and compare peaches to nectarines! Join No Sweat Nature Study at NoSweatNatureStudy.com. Use the code NOSWEAT for 50% off your first month of a monthly membership. Buy gift cards for friends and family to join No Sweat Nature Study →  ourjourneywestward.com/downloads/no-sweat-nature-study-live-gift Charter schools can purchase access to No Sweat Nature Study → ourjourneywestward.com/charter Visit the Peaches show notes page to see trichomes on the skin of a peach! Here are links to Mrs. Cindy's favorite nature-themed picture books and nature-themed chapter books. Share pictures of your nature studies on Instagram or Facebook. Be sure to tag @OurJourneyWestward so Mrs. Cindy will see them! Please subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review if you enjoy the episodes. Thank you! It helps the podcast so much! :)

On this week's episode of The Rural Woman Podcast™, you'll meet Sam Haley.Sam Haley grew up on a blueberry farm in rural Nova Scotia before earning a Plant Science degree and transitioning from conventional chemical controls to biological ones. While pregnant during the pandemic, she started a llama farm, using their manure for gardening. Now, she runs a small fertilizer business, hand-spins fiber, and teaches her boys the value of a strong work ethic.For full show notes, including links mentioned in the show, head over to wildrosefarmer.com/219. . .This week's episode is brought to you by Patreon . . .Let's get SocialFollow The Rural Woman Podcast on Social MediaInstagram | FacebookSign up to get email updatesJoin our private Facebook group, The Rural Woman Podcast Community Connect with Katelyn on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest. . .Support the ShowPatreon | PayPal | Become a Show SponsorLeave a Review on Apple Podcasts | Take the Listener SurveyScreenshot this episode and share it on your socials!Tag @TheRuralWomanPodcast + #TheRuralWomanPodcast. . .Meet the TeamAudio Editor | MixBär.Admin Team | Kim & Co OnlinePatreon Executive ProducersSarah R. | Happiness by The AcreKarri MV. | Leystone Farms. . .More with KatelynOne on One Podcast Coaching | Learn More

The practice of growing plants in water rather than soil isn't new, though early examples are difficult to substantiate. In the 1930s, hydroponic plant culture made headlines, but the field also had conflict among researchers. Research: Bacon, Francis. “Sylva sylvarum; or, A natural history, in ten centuries. Whereunto is newly added the History natural and experimental of life and death, or of the prolongation of life.” London. 1670. https://archive.org/details/sylvasylvarumorn00baco/page/116/mode/2up Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Hanging Gardens of Babylon". Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Jan. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/place/Hanging-Gardens-of-Babylon Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "chinampa". Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May. 2017, https://www.britannica.com/topic/chinampa Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Julius von Sachs". Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Sep. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Julius-von-Sachs. Ebel, Roland. "Chinampas: An Urban Farming Model of the Aztecs and a Potential Solution for Modern Megalopolis". HortTechnology hortte 30.1 (2020): 13-19. < https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04310-19 Gericke, W. F. “The Complete Guide To Soilless Gardening.” Prentice Hall. 1940. https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.271694/page/n1/mode/2up Gericke, W. F. “The Meaning of Hydroponics.” Science101,142-143. 1945. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.101.2615.142 "General Mills' Big Gamble on Indoor Farming." Dun's Review. 1979. https://www.nal.usda.gov/sites/default/files/card-image/DunsReviewGeneralMillsImage.jpg “Growing Crops Without Soil.” United States Department of Agriculture. Agricultural research service. June 1965. https://www.nal.usda.gov/sites/default/files/card-image/RaisingCropsWithoutSoil1965_0.jpg Hall, Loura. “NASA Research Launches a New Generation of Indoor Farming.” NASA. Nov. 23, 2021. https://www.nasa.gov/technology/tech-transfer-spinoffs/nasa-research-launches-a-new-generation-of-indoor-farming/ Hoagland, D.R. and D.I. Arnon. “The Water-culture Method for Growing Plants Without Soil.” Berkeley. 1950. https://archive.org/details/watercultureme3450hoag/page/n5/mode/2up “A Hydroponic Farm on Wake Island.” Science87,12-3. (1938). DOI:1126/science.87.2263.12.u Janick, Jules et al. “The cucurbits of mediterranean antiquity: identification of taxa from ancient images and descriptions.” Annals of botany vol. 100,7 (2007): 1441-57. doi:10.1093/aob/mcm242 Silvio, Caputo. “History, Techniques and Technologies of Soil-Less Cultivation.” Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99962-9_4 Singer, Jesse. “A Hydroponics Timeline. Garden Culture Magazine. Feb. 8, 2021. https://gardenculturemagazine.com/a-brief-overview-of-the-history-of-hydroponics/#:~:text=1627:%20Sylva%20Sylvarum,Chemist%20Jean%20Baptist%20van%20Helmont Stanhill, G. "JOHN WOODWARD—A NEGLECTED 17TH CENTURY PIONEER OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY". Israel Journal of Plant Sciences 35.3-4 (1986): 225-231. https://doi.org/10.1080/0021213X.1986.10677056 Stuart, Neil W. “About Hydroponics.” Yearbook of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1947. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/yoa1947/page/289/mode/2up Taylor, Judith. “National Nutrition Month: Hydroponics feed ailing WWII Army Air Forces personnel.” Air Force Medical Service. March 26, 2014. https://www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/News/Article/582803/national-nutrition-month-hydroponics-feed-ailing-wwii-army-air-forces-personnel/ “Plants Without Soil.” Brooklyn Eagle. Feb. 28, 1937.https://www.newspapers.com/image/52623587/?match=1&terms=hydroponics “Hydroponics.” Courier-Journal. March 2, 1937. https://www.newspapers.com/image/107727971/?match=1&terms=hydroponics See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.