Field, Lab, Earth
Past and present advances in the fields of agronomic, crop, soil, and environmental sciences. Enjoy interviews with researchers published in journals, books, and magazines from the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America. Opinions and conclusions expressed by authors are their own and are not considered as those of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America, its staff, its members, or its advertisers.
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The Soil Health Cycle with Dr. Bijesh Maharjan
04/18/2025
The Soil Health Cycle with Dr. Bijesh Maharjan
“Soil Health Cycle” with Dr. Bijesh Maharjan Researchers, advisers, and farmers alike know that soil health is important, but taking steps forward in the knowledge of which practices to use and their impacts can be difficult. Enter the soil health cycle, an iterative approach to help track how practices and their implementation take soil health forward. In this episode, Bijesh joins me to discuss his work on the soil health cycle. Tune in to learn: · How the soil health cycle is similar to human health care cycles · What the four steps of the soil health cycle are · Why it’s important to have a soil health cycle · What the literature says about the current state of the soil health cycle If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Bijesh, you can find him here: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Supracentennial special section call for papers for Soil Science Society of America Journal: Maharjan Lab: Thank you to our volunteer Om Prakash Ghimire for help with other assets. Thank you to Cole Shalk from 12twelve Media for the Audio Processing on today's episode. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Speed Breeding to Combat Wheat Disease with Drs. Nidhi Rawat and Vijay Tiwari
03/14/2025
Speed Breeding to Combat Wheat Disease with Drs. Nidhi Rawat and Vijay Tiwari
“Evaluation of speed breeding conditions for accelerating Fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol screening in wheat” with Nidhi Rawat and Vivek Tiwari. Fusarium head blight (FHB), also known as head scab, is one of the most significant diseases affecting wheat, causing substantial economic losses for farmers in the U.S. and worldwide. While FHB resistant wheat lines have been identified, breeding these traits into desirable cultivars is a time-consuming process that can take decades, with uncertain success. In the U.S., particularly for spring wheat, crossing of wheat lines can typically be done only once per year due to seasonal limitations, which slow down the process of development of disease-resistant cultivars. To overcome this challenge, speed breeding—an approach that involves growing plants under extended light exposure (20–22 hours per day) to accelerate their life cycle—offers a promising solution. This technique enables multiple generations of wheat to be produced within a single year, allowing for more frequent crossings and a faster transfer of disease resistance traits into desirable cultivars. In this episode, Drs. Nidhi Rawat and Vijay Tiwari share their insights on using speed breeding techniques to accelerate the breeding of disease-resistant cultivars. Tune in to learn: · What is Fusarium head blight? · How does Fusarium head blight cause economic loss to farmers? · What is speed breeding? · How does speed breeding help in developing disease resistance cultivars? · What are challenges in adopting speed breeding? If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Nidhi Rawat and Vijay K Tiwari, you can find them here: and If you would like to reach out to Saptarshi Mondal from our Student Spotlight, you can find him here: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI): Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 Wheat labs, University of Maryland, Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Economics of Autonomous Strip-Cropping with Professor James Lowenberg-DeBoer
02/14/2025
Economics of Autonomous Strip-Cropping with Professor James Lowenberg-DeBoer
“Economics of strip cropping with autonomous machines” with James Lowenberg-DeBoer. With the growing global population, the demand for food continues to rise. However, increasing food production often depends on intensive farming practices and agricultural inputs that can negatively impact environmental health. To counter this, promoting crop diversity, improving soil health, and reducing disease and pest pressure are crucial. Mixed cropping presents a viable solution but poses challenges for mechanization and labor efficiency. In this context, customized autonomous machines and advanced technology can play a key role in facilitating mixed cropping while lowering production costs. In this episode, Dr. James Lowenberg-DeBoer shares insights from his research on the economics of strip cropping—the simplest form of mixed cropping—using autonomous machines. He explores the feasibility and profitability of this approach, along with the challenges and opportunities in restoring crop biodiversity and ecosystem services, ultimately fostering better environmental health and sustainable agriculture. Tune in to learn: What is mixed cropping? What makes a farm machine “autonomous”? How do autonomous machines contribute to environmentally friendly agriculture? What are the economic differences between automated strip farming and conventional strip farming? What are swarm robots in agriculture? If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to James Lowenberg-DeBoer, you can find him here: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Center for Effective Innovation in Agriculture: Hands Free Farm: Precision Agriculture Journal: Digitization for Agroecology: Prairie Strips in the Conservation Reserve Program: Stockcropper: Thank you to our volunteer Om Prakash Ghimire for help with the shownotes and other assets. Thank you to Cole Shalk from 12twelve Media for the Audio Processing on today's episode. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Benefits of Microarthropods with Dr. Ashley Jernigan
01/17/2025
Benefits of Microarthropods with Dr. Ashley Jernigan
“Microarthropods improve oat nutritional quality and mediate fertilizer effects on soil biological activity” with Dr. Ashley Jernigan Microarthropods are little critters that can have a big impact on crop production, particularly when it comes to nutrient cycling and nutrient acquisition. However, there’s still much to learn about how the work these little helpers do is affected when paired with different types of fertilizers. In this episode, Dr. Jernigan joins me to discuss how microarthropods get along with different fertilizer treatments. Tune in to learn: · What other animal springtails look like · How researchers count microarthropods · What impacts organic fertilizers have on microarthropods · How microarthropods can help crops thrive If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Ashley, you can find her here: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Soil mesofauna fact sheets: Soil mesofauna video: Chaos of Delight: Thank you to our volunteer Om Prakash Ghimire for help with the shownotes and other assets. Thank you to Cole Shalk from 12twelve Media for the Audio Processing on today's episode. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Grazing Cover Crops in the Great Plains with Drs. John Holman and Augustine Obour
12/20/2024
Grazing Cover Crops in the Great Plains with Drs. John Holman and Augustine Obour
“Grazing cover crops: How does it influence soils and crops?” with Drs. John Holman and Augustine Obour. Cover crops have a lot of uses depending on where you live and what you grow, but in some regions like the Great Plains, it can take a little extra help to make sure they’re as helpful as they can be. In this episode, John and Augustine join me to discuss the advantages and challenges of grazing cover crops in the Great Plains. Tune in to learn: · Which factors most impact strategy when incorporating cover crops · How to alter cover cropping strategy depending on the soil moisture · How incorporating cover crops and livestock can increase profitability · How cover crops can help with forage shortages If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to John, you can find him here: [email protected] If you would like to reach out to Augustine, you can find him here: If you would like to reach out to Tanner Judd from our Student Spotlight, you can find him here: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: EA Consumables is the exclusive US distributor of organic elemental analysis products by UK laboratory supplies manufacturer, Elemental Microanalysis. Visit the for high quality elemental analysis consumable supplies that offer performance you can trust. Thank you to our volunteer Om Prakash Ghimire for help with the shownotes and other assets. Thank you to Cole Shalk from 12twelve Media for the Audio Processing on today's episode. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Pipeline remediation timelines with Theresa Brehm
11/15/2024
Pipeline remediation timelines with Theresa Brehm
“Soil degradation and crop yield declines persist 5 years after pipeline installations” with Theresa Brehm. Underground pipeline installations are crucial for energy supply, helping to meet rising demand. However, these installations can significantly impact agricultural lands due to soil excavation, heavy machinery use, and resulting soil disturbances. Although companies typically offer support to farmers for up to five years, claiming that soil health and productivity are restored within that period, many farmers report ongoing issues with soil degradation and reduced crop yields. This highlights the need to evaluate the true impact of pipeline installations on soil health and crop productivity and to assess the effectiveness of remediation efforts in restoring soil vitality. In this episode, Theresa Brehm shares insights from her research on assessing the impacts of pipeline installations on soil health and agricultural productivity in Ohio state, along with insights from farmers' experiences. Tune in to learn: · What are the impacts of underground pipeline installations on soil health and crop productivity? · How are farmers compensated for their losses? · How do pipeline installations affect soil texture, porosity, and crop yields? · How effective are company-led land remediation efforts in restoring soil health and productivity? · What are the long-term challenges of restoring soil health after pipeline installations? If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Theresa Brehm, you can find her here: If you would like to reach out to Amanda Duim Ferreira from our Student Spotlight, you can find her here: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Evaluation of Pipeline Installation on Crop Productivity in Ohio: “Pipeline installation effects on soils and plants: A review and quantitative synthesis” published in Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment: Summary of Landowner Experience Survey: “How Pipeline Installations Impact Agricultural Fields and Landowners” published in Crops & Soils: Thank you to our volunteer Om Prakash Ghimire for regular help with the shownotes and other assets. Thank you to Cole Shalk from 12twelve Media for the Audio Processing on today's episode. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Managing Sorghum Aphid with Drs. Somashekhar Punnuri, Karen Harris-Shultz, Joseph Knoll, and Xinzhi Ni
10/31/2024
Managing Sorghum Aphid with Drs. Somashekhar Punnuri, Karen Harris-Shultz, Joseph Knoll, and Xinzhi Ni
“Invasive sorghum aphid: A decade of research on deciphering plant resistance mechanisms and novel approaches in breeding for sorghum resistance to aphids” with Drs. Somashekhar Punnuri, Karen Harris-Shultz, Joseph Knoll, and Xinzhi Ni. Sorghum is an important crop in the United States, grown for grain, forage and bioenergy purposes. However, its production is facing several challenges due to abiotic and biotic factors, with aphids emerging as a significant pest in last decade. Once considered a minor pest, sorghum aphids have become a major threat to sorghum cultivation due to susceptible varieties and insufficient pest management strategies. In this episode, Dr. Somashekhar Punnuri, an associate professor from Fort Valley State University; Drs. Karen Harris-Shultz and Joesph Knoll, research geneticists with USDA ARS; and Dr. Xinzhi Ni, a research entomologist from USDA ARS, share their insights on current research efforts and new methods to combat sorghum aphids. Tune in to learn more about: · What characteristics sorghum aphids have · How sorghum aphids reproduce · What resistance mechanisms sorghum has · What the current efforts are in breeding aphid resistant sorghum varieties · What the challenges are in aphid management in sorghum If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Som, you can contact him here: If you would like to reach out to Karen, you can contact her here: If you would like to reach out to Joe, you can contact him here: If you would like to reach out to Xinzhi, you can contact him here: If you would like to reach out to Sarah Chu from our Student Spotlight, you can find her here: X: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Coming soon Sorghum Checkoff: “Biological and genetic features of introduced aphid populations in agroecosystems” published in Current Opinion in Insect Science: Sorghum aphid reporting tool: Thank you to our volunteer Om Prakash Ghimire for regular help with the shownotes and other assets. Thank you to Cole Shalk from 12twelve Media for the Audio Processing on today's episode. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Upscaling Soil Moisture Data with Dr. Tyson Ochsner
10/18/2024
Upscaling Soil Moisture Data with Dr. Tyson Ochsner
“Upscaling soil moisture from point scale to field scale: towards a general model” with Dr. Tyson Ochsner Field scale soil moisture measurements can be difficult to attain. Point scale data can be too small to give field scale advice, and data gathered from satellites often lack important specificity. In this episode, Tyson joins me to discuss a new method to upscale point data into field scale soil moisture estimates. Tune in to learn: · Why field-scale measurements are important for both grower and researcher needs, yet are difficult to obtain · What are the differences between fast, thermal, and epithermal neutrons · How measuring epithermal neutrons can correlate with soil moisture · If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Tyson, you can find him here: If you would like to reach out to Jasia Jannat from our Student Spotlight, you can find her here: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Coming soon OK State Soil Moisture Map: Rain or Shine book: OK State University Soil Physics YouTube channel: CoCoRahs Citizen Science project: EA Consumables is the exclusive US distributor of organic elemental analysis products by UK laboratory supplies manufacturer, Elemental Microanalysis. Visit the for high quality elemental analysis consumable supplies that offer performance you can trust. Thank you to our volunteer Om Prakash Ghimire for regular help with the shownotes and other assets. Thank you to Cole Shalk from 12twelve Media for the Audio Processing on today's episode. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Phenotyping Crop Variety Mixtures with Flavian Tschurr and Corina Oppliger
10/04/2024
Phenotyping Crop Variety Mixtures with Flavian Tschurr and Corina Oppliger
“Mixing things up! Identifying early diversity benefits and facilitating the development of improved variety mixtures with high throughput field phenotyping” with Flavian Tschurr and Corina Oppliger. With increasing yield instability in monocropping systems due to diseases, pests or climatic factors, crop diversification is a potential strategy to improve crop performance and yield stability. However, crop diversification can present challenges in agronomic management and operations. One promising approach to crop diversification is using multiple varieties of one crop rather than multiple species. However, challenges remain in selecting suitable crop varieties and determining their optimum mixture rates. In this episode, graduate students Flavian Tschurr and Corina Oppliger share their insights on using image-based high-throughput phenotyping to optimize crop variety mixtures. Tune in to learn: · What is a crop variety mixture? · What are the benefits of crop variety mixture? · What is the use of high throughput phenotyping in crop improvement? · What is crop over-yielding? If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Flavian Tschurr, you can find him here: If you would like to reach out to Corina Oppliger, you can find her here: c If you would like to reach out to Fiona Todd from our Student Spotlight, you can find her here: [email protected] Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Coming soon ETH Zurich, Institute for Agricultural Sciences: ETH Zurich Mastadon: ETH Zurich Instagram: Field phenotyping platform- Research paper on crop variety mixture - Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Biochar-Dairy Manure Mixes with Dr. Touyee Thao
09/20/2024
Biochar-Dairy Manure Mixes with Dr. Touyee Thao
“The effects of different biochar-dairy manure co-composts on soil moisture and nutrients retention, greenhouse gas emissions, and tomato productivity; observations from a soil column experiment” with Dr. Touyee Thao. Increasing food production needs can sometimes put a strain on the environment. Waste from crop and animal production can exacerbate this problem. But, when waste can be turned into a benefit, we can move closer to a world where both can thrive. In this episode, Touyee joins me to discuss how turning waste products into beneficial materials like biochar and compost can help move the needle in the right direction. Tune in to learn: · How orchard waste can be transformed into soil amendment. · What ratios work best when adding biochar and dairy manure amendments. · Which amendments have the best impacts on greenhouse gas emissions · How these amendments impact soil health. If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Touyee, you can find him here: LinkedIn: If you would like to reach out to Kailey Miller from our Student Spotlight, you can find her here: Twitter: https://x.com/kaileymiller03 Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Coming soon Link to Stage 1 (Biochar-Manure Co-compost Lab Incubation) Link to full Dissertation. Sponsored by METER Group. METER sensors deliver real-time plant, soil, and atmospheric data that fuels environmental research. Listen to METER Group’s podcast We Measure the World to hear how innovative researchers are leveraging environmental data to make our world a better place—and a more sustainable place—at . Thank you to our volunteer Om Prakash Ghimire for help with the shownotes and other assets. Thank you to Cole Shalk from 12twelve Media for the Audio Processing on today's episode. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Flyway Flooding Impacts with Dr. Amitava Chatterjee
08/16/2024
Flyway Flooding Impacts with Dr. Amitava Chatterjee
“Shallow water habitat management influences soil CO2 efflux from agricultural fields in the Lower Mississippi River Basin (LMRB), USA” with Amitava Chatterjee. The Lower Mississippi River Basin (LMRB) serves as a critical stopover habitat for migratory birds traveling between Canada and Central and South America, presenting both challenges and opportunities for habitat conservation. To support these birds, farmers in the region flood agricultural fields in the winter, creating temporary wetlands that provide habitat and essential food sources. This practice has increased bird stopovers but raises concerns about soil health, as flooding can alter soil properties. In this episode, Dr. Amitava Chatterjee shares his insights on research related to the effects of flooding on soil properties in agricultural lands in the LMRB and how it contributes to maintaining sustainable stopover habitats for migratory birds. Tune in to learn: · What migratory bird stopovers are · How flooding of agricultural lands helps migratory birds · How flooding of agricultural land affects soil health · How flooding affects soil microbial activity · What are the long-term impacts of agricultural land flooding If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Amitava Chatterjee, you can find him here: If you would like to reach out to Sourajit Dey from our Student Spotlight, you can find him here: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: “Flooding Fields May Be a Win-Win For Farmers and Birds in the Mississippi Delta” article: “Flooding Fields in the Mississippi Delta Helps Crop Yields—and Shorebirds” article: “Soil carbon mineralization, enzyme activities, and crop residue decomposition under varying soil moisture regime” article in Soil Science Society of America Journal: Conservation Incentive Program: Winter-Flooded Rice Fields for Waterfowl Habitat: MDWFP Waterfowl Program - Mississippi Land Conservation Assistance Network: Thank you to Om Prakash Ghimire for help with the shownotes and other assets. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Leaf Mold Compost for Urban Agriculture with Kyle Richardville
07/19/2024
Leaf Mold Compost for Urban Agriculture with Kyle Richardville
“Leaf mold compost for better soil and crop health” with Kyle Richardville Growing vegetables in urban gardens is becoming a popular and ever more important option for supporting families with nutritious and healthy produce. However, the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can cause negative impacts on soil, crop, and human health. To reduce these negative impacts, there is a growing interest in using biologicals and compost manure for crop production. This episode, Kyle Richardville, agronomist and regenerative agriculture consultant at “Understanding Ag,” shares his insights on the importance of a compost made from tree leaves and fungi—leaf mold compost—and how it impacts soil microbial communities, soil physical properties, and overall crop production. Tune in to learn: · What are biologicals and compost manure? · What is Trichoderma and how does it help in agriculture? · How do mycorrhizal fungi benefit plants? · How does compost manure increase soil and crop health? If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Kyle Richardville, you can find him here If you would like to reach out to Udit Debangshi, you can find him here: LinkedIn: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Understanding Ag: Additional Resources from Kyle’s Blog: Teaming with Fungi book: Thank you to our volunteer Om Prakash Ghimire for help with the shownotes and other assets. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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2024 Blooper Reel
06/22/2024
2024 Blooper Reel
It’s our birthday! That means it’s time for our annual birthday blooper reel! Enjoy our favorite flubs from the previous year and thank you again for listening! Remember that if you like our show, rating, reviewing, and sharing with friends are the best ways you can show your support. Contact us at 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: . Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Combatting Drought with WAPs with Dr. Sanandam Bordoloi
06/21/2024
Combatting Drought with WAPs with Dr. Sanandam Bordoloi
“Efficacy of novel water-absorbing polymer amended soil for improving drought resilience of Solanum lycopersicum” with Dr. Sanandam Bordoloi. Drought can be a major problem for tomatoes, particularly in changing climates. Water-absorbant polymers can help water stay in the soil to help tomatoes thrive, but costs can make it hard for farmers to use them. In this episode, Sanandam joins me to discuss his research into developing more affordable, effective water-absorbant polymers from the waste material fly ash. Tune in to learn: · What a WAP is · What ratios of WAPs were tested · What other materials might be useful for WAP production · How a WAP is like a chia seed If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Sanandam, you can find him here: If you would like to reach out to Michael Rabe from our Student Spotlight, you can find him here: Twitter: Instagram: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Sponsored by METER Group. METER sensors deliver real-time plant, soil, and atmospheric data that fuels environmental research. Listen to METER Group’s podcast We Measure the World to hear how innovative researchers are leveraging environmental data to make our world a better place—and a more sustainable place—at Thank you to our volunteer Om Prakash Ghimire for help with the certified crop adviser quiz. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Phytoremediation for Urban Agriculture with Marie-Anne Viau and Dr. Adrian Paul
06/07/2024
Phytoremediation for Urban Agriculture with Marie-Anne Viau and Dr. Adrian Paul
“Can we simultaneously decontaminate and cultivate? An urban cherry tomato story” with Marie-Anne Viau and Dr. Adrian Paul Contamination of various kinds can make it difficult to ensure healthy and safe food crops in urban agriculture. Phytoremediation is a strategy where we may be able to use plants’ incredible natural abilities to help with this problem. This episode, Marie-Anne and Adrian join me to discuss harnessing phytoremediation to help clean soils for tomato crops. Tune in to learn: · How phytoremediation works · How researchers process contaminated plant material · Whether phytoremediation can help boost soil health and yields · How phytoremediation compares to other phytoremediation methods If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Marie-Anne, you can find her here: If you would like to reach out to Adrian, you can find him here: If you would like to reach out to Charanpreet Kaur from our Student Spotlight, you can find her here: Linkedin: Twitter: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: The Potential for Urban Agriculture in New York City: growing capacity, food security & green infrastructure: Carrot City: Creating Places for Urban Agriculture: Articles mentioned by Adrian: “Beyond Cleansing: Ecosystem Services Related to Phytoremediation” article: “Reclamation of urban brownfields through phytoremediation: Implications for building sustainable and resilient towns” article: Coverage on research presented in English: “Montreal researchers use willows to decontaminate polluted soil, groundwater” article: “Researchers are using plants to tackle urban pollution” article: “Where there's a willow, there's a way: City using saplings to decontaminate land” news story: Research leader Michel Labrecque’s Twitter: Plant Biology Research Institute Twitter: Website for research leader Michel Labrecque: Urban Agriculture program at Collège Ahuntsic (French): Cultive ta Ville Montreal (French): Correction Adrian mentions a plant with up to 25% of Ni, but it is 25% of Ni in the latex, not the sap. More information can be found here: Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Improving Maize Pollination Efficiency with Dr. Dylan Schoemaker
05/17/2024
Improving Maize Pollination Efficiency with Dr. Dylan Schoemaker
“A practical method to improve the efficiency of pollination in maize breeding and genetics research” with Dr. Dylan Schoemaker Mismatched pollination times can make desirable genetic matches beyond the reach of practical plant breeders. Storing pollen is one solution, but limitations in cost and feasibility can make viable pollen storage tricky. This episode, Dr. Dylan Schoemaker shares his work developing cheaper, easier methods of pollen storage to extend shelf life, increase flexibility in breeding workflows, and bring those plant matches back within reach. Tune in to learn: · What issues make pollen preservation difficult · How long this method can extend pollen life · How clumping can affect pollen preservation · How plant breeders avoid cross-contamination If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Dylan, you can find him here: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Power Pollen: Thank you to our volunteer Om Prakash Ghimire for help with the shownotes and other assets. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Bioenergy Cropping on Marginal Lands with Dr. Dileepa Jayawardena
05/03/2024
Bioenergy Cropping on Marginal Lands with Dr. Dileepa Jayawardena
“Comparative productivity of six bioenergy cropping systems on marginal lands in the Great Lakes Region, USA” with Dileepa Jayawardena. Bioenergy crops present a promising source for biofuel production, offering a potential solution to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. However, they face criticism for potentially encroaching on arable land essential for food production to sustain growing populations. To address this issue, there is a growing focus on utilizing marginal lands for growing bioenergy crops, which are less suitable for crop production. Marginal lands typically suffer from poor soil health and low nutrient and water availability. Therefore, it is crucial to identify and develop bioenergy crops that can thrive in such conditions and produce biomass for biofuel production while also confirming which marginal lands are best suited to these uses. In this episode, Dileepa Jayawardena, a Research Associate at The Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Michigan State University, sheds light on his research aimed at finding suitable bioenergy cropping systems for marginal lands in Michigan and Wisconsin for producing biomass for long-term bioenergy production while minimizing the competition of land for food crops. Tune in to learn more about · What are bioenergy crops? · What is the importance of bioenergy crops? · Why marginal lands can be suitable for bioenergy crops? · Which cropping system is better for marginal lands? · How to make sustainable biofuel production? If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Dileepa Jayawardena, you can find them here: If you would like to reach out to Anthony Mirabito, you can find him here: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center: Special thanks to Om Prakash Ghimire for help on the shownotes and other assets. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Soil-Landscape Rehabilitation with Dr. Sharon Schneider
04/19/2024
Soil-Landscape Rehabilitation with Dr. Sharon Schneider
“Key soil properties and their relationships with crop yields as affected by soil-landscape rehabilitation” with Dr. Sharon Schneider. Soil erosion is one of the major issues in agriculture that causes loss of the topsoil layer, reducing soil health and crop productivity. There are several ways to check soil erosion and its impacts on crop and soil health. One of the potential strategies to reduce the effect of past soil erosion is to reverse the soil erosion process by moving soil from where it was deposited by erosion to where soil was lost by erosion. In this episode, Dr. Sharon Schneider shares her research on replacing topsoil in eroded landscapes. Tune in to learn more about · What are the impacts of soil erosion on crop productivity and soil properties? · What are strategies for reducing soil erosion? · What is the importance of soil organic carbon? · Soil and crop benefits of replacing topsoil in eroded landscapes If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s papers are available here: These papers are always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Sharon Schneider, you can find her here: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: “Soil properties and productivity as affected by topsoil movement within an eroded landform,” published in Soil and Tillage Research: Integrated Cropping Systems Research Group: Data from the study: Schneider, Sharon K.; Sutradhar, Apurba K.; Schumacher, Thomas E.; Lobb, David A. (2024). Soil, crop, and weed communities as affected by soil erosion and topsoil replacement in a Mollisol landform (a six-year soil-landscape rehabilitation study). Ag Data Commons. Dataset. Recorded presentation by Sharon Schneider available at USDA: Presentation to the Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture Conference, 2022 by David Lobb: EA Consumables is the exclusive US distributor of organic elemental analysis products by UK laboratory supplies manufacturer, Elemental Microanalysis. Visit the for high quality elemental analysis consumable supplies that offer performance you can trust. Special thank you to Om Prakash Ghimire for help with the creation of the shownotes and other assets. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Recalibrating the Pennsylvania PSNT with Dr. Charlie White
03/15/2024
Recalibrating the Pennsylvania PSNT with Dr. Charlie White
“Recalibrating the Pennsylvania pre-sidedress soil nitrate test recommendations for modern corn production” with Charles White. Nitrogen management is one of the most important agronomic practices in modern crop production systems. The Pre-Sidedress Soil Nitrate Test, also known as the PSNT, gives farmers an estimation of plant available nitrogen in the soil, allowing them to calculate how much nitrogen the plants still need. The existing PSNT method was developed during the 1990’s. Now, farming practices are improved, altering the amount of nitrogen fertilizer plants need. Thus, it is important to re-calibrate the test so farmers can have a more accurate estimation of nitrogen requirements and reduce the cost of production. In this episode, Dr. Charlie White shares his insights on re-calibrating the pre-side dress soil nitrate test for modern corn production systems. Tune in to learn more about: · What the Pre-Sidedress Soil Nitrate Test does · The importance of Nitrogen mineralization · Which improved practices have impacted the test’s accuracy · Which factors most impact the test results now If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Charlie, you can find him here: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Extension article: Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Precision Agriculture for Improving Wheat Yield and Quality with Olga Walsh
02/16/2024
Precision Agriculture for Improving Wheat Yield and Quality with Olga Walsh
“Precision nitrogen management for improving yield and protein content in wheat” with Dr. Olga Walsh. Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for crops, which is required in large amounts for crop production and demands precise nutrient management methods due to its highly mobile property in plants and soils and high chances of leaching. Precise nutrient management is also important for improving the yield and quality of grains, minimizing the input, and maximizing the efficiency. Assessing the real-time plant growth, biomass production, and nutrient depletion in the soil using different precision agriculture techniques like drones, remote sensing, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and other camera-based devices helps optimize nutrient management. In this episode, Dr. Olga Walsh shares her research on precision nitrogen management for yield and protein content estimation on spring wheat and sugar beet by using different hand-held sensors, drones, and remote sensing approaches. Tune in to learn more about · What values are best to look for when doing remote sensing in wheat · How drones, remote sensing, and camera applications are helping predict biomass and nutrient requirements · What yield and protein content was estimated from the sensors tested · How hand-held and UAV sensors compare If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Olga Walsh, you can find her here: If you would like to reach out to Ayush Kachrulal Sharma, you can find him here: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Extension outreach bulletins: Estimation of Wheat Yield and Grain Protein with Handheld and UAV-Mounted Sensors. UI Extension Bulletin 1033: Nitrogen Management in Field Crops with Reference Strips and Crop Sensors. UI Extension Bulletin 896: Southern Idaho Soft White Spring Wheat Quick Facts. UI Extension Bulletin 979: Southern Idaho Hard Spring Wheat Quick Facts. UI Extension Bulletin 986: Optimum Nitrogen Rates for Wheat Depend on the Environment and Field-Specific Conditions. UI CIS 1028: School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, Virginia: Thank you to Om Prakash Ghimire for help in assembling show notes and other assets. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Mitigating Coastal Eutrophication with Drs. Wafa Malik and Patrick Durand
01/19/2024
Mitigating Coastal Eutrophication with Drs. Wafa Malik and Patrick Durand
“Nitrogen mitigation scenarios to reduce coastal eutrophication” with Wafa and Patrick. Eutrophication is a state of overgrowth of aquatic plants, such as algae and seaweeds, in water bodies due to the excessive pouring of nutrients from different sources like agriculture, industry, and human settlements, causing disturbances to the ecosystems. Coastal eutrophication is a major issue worldwide due to the increasing discharge of nutrient emissions from agricultural activities into coastal ecosystems. Several efforts have been made to reduce eutrophication, achieving up to 35–40% reduction, but these measures are not sufficient to eliminate the problem. For more sustainable and effective solutions, the root causes of the nutrient emissions, especially nitrogen, need to be addressed in current agricultural practices. In this episode, Drs. Wafa Malik and Patrick Durand share their research on the reduction of coastal eutrophication in Brittany, France, focusing on changing cropping systems and reducing the sources through modeling the effectiveness of different approaches and taking into consideration the interests of farmers and the local community. Tune in to learn more about · How eutrophication happens · What are the causes and consequences of coastal eutrophication · What are the agricultural impacts of eutrophication · How we can change cropping systems to reduce eutrophication · What mitigation challenges exist in reducing coastal eutrophication If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Wafa Malik, you can find her here: LinkedIn: ResearchGate: If you would like to reach out to Patrick, you can find him here: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE), France Thank you to our volunteer, Om Prakash Ghimire, for his assistance on show notes and other materials. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Latent Variable Phenotypes in Lentil with Sandesh Neupane and Derek Wright
12/15/2023
Latent Variable Phenotypes in Lentil with Sandesh Neupane and Derek Wright
“Focusing the GWAS Lens on days to flower using latent variable phenotypes derived from global multienvironment trials” with Sandesh Neupane and Derek Wright. Lentil, a pivotal pulse crop, is recognized as an important part of food and nutrition security in the world. It has rich sources of important nutrients, is easy to cook, and thrives well on the farm. Due to its rich dietary benefits, lentil has been introduced to North America, especially in Canada. Originating as a warmer climate crop, domesticated in the Middle East and North Africa, and widely adopted in Southeast Asia, lentil can face adaptation issues in the cooler Canadian climate. This struggle directly impacts flowering, pod-bearing, and overall yield. What precisely are the adaptation constraints hindering lentil introduction in North America? How do varying photoperiods and temperatures exert influence on lentil production? Delving deeper, what genes govern the crop's sensitivity to photoperiods and temperatures? In this episode, Sandesh Neupane and Derek Wright share insights into their research on lentil adaptation and how they dissect the genetic mechanisms orchestrating the photoperiod and temperature sensitivity in lentils with multi-location trials and advanced image-based phenotyping. This groundbreaking work promises to contribute significantly to the breeding of well-suited lentil varieties tailored to thrive in North American conditions. Tune in to learn about: · Lentil and its nutritional value · Lentil’s history · The challenges of lentil adaptation in Canada · How the environment affects lentil growth If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Derek Wright, you can find him here: If you would like to reach out to Sandesh Neupane, you can find him here: If you would like to reach out to Om Prakash Ghimire from our Student Spotlight, you can find him here: Twitter: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Plant Sciences, Crop Development Centre – University of Saskatchewan: Know Pulse - Thank you to Om Prakash Ghimire for help on the creation of show notes and other assets. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Phosphorus Conservation Practice Trade-offs with Drs. Peter Kleinman and Deanna Osmond
11/17/2023
Phosphorus Conservation Practice Trade-offs with Drs. Peter Kleinman and Deanna Osmond
“Addressing conservation practice limitations and trade-offs for reducing phosphorus loss from agricultural fields” with Dr. Pete Kleinman, Research Leader, USDA, and Dr. Deanna Osmond, Professor, North Carolina State University. Conservation practices are important techniques that help us move towards a more sustainable planet. But when these tools are applied without proper testing and a holistic point of view, they can sometimes cause unintended consequences or tradeoffs that affect the surrounding environment. This episode, Pete and Deanna discuss common tradeoffs that can impact tools that manage Phosphorus and how to avoid these potential pitfalls. Tune in to learn: · What the acronym ACT stands for when talking about nutrient management · What mechanisms turn phosphorus sinks into sources · Some real-world examples of tradeoffs at play · How to avoid some common tradeoffs If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Pete, you can find him here: If you would like to reach out to Deanna, you can find her here: If you would like to reach out to Tina Sullivan from our Student Spotlight, you can find her here: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Journal of Environmental Quality special section, Agricultural Water Quality in Cold Environments: USDA Conservation Effects Assessment Project: Journal of Environmental Quality: Soil Science Society of America Journal: Sponsored by METER Group. METER sensors deliver real-time, plant, soil, and atmospheric data that fuels environmental research. Listen to METER Group’s new podcast We Measure the World to hear how innovative researchers leverage environmental data to make our world a better—and more sustainable—place at metergroup.com/fieldlabearth. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Halloween Special: Fall Armyworm with Drs. Sandra Woolfolk and Leigh Hawkins
10/31/2023
Halloween Special: Fall Armyworm with Drs. Sandra Woolfolk and Leigh Hawkins
“Genes and genetic mechanisms contributing to fall armyworm resistance in maize” with Sandra Woolfolk and Leigh Hawkins, research entomologist and molecular biologist (respectively) at USDA-ARS. Fall armyworm is a major pest around the world, causing millions of dollars in damages yearly. However, farmers are not alone in the fight against these invasive creatures, with plant breeders coming alongside to help develop more resistant plants. This episode, Drs. Sandra Woolfolk and Leigh Hawkins discuss their work tracking down the traits that can lead to higher resistance against this frightful pest. Tune in to learn: · What fall armyworms look like · What makes fall armyworms such a scary pest · How DNA, SNPs, and metabolic pathways are like a highway · Which metabolic pathways were the most promising If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Sandra, you can find her here: If you would like to reach out to Leigh, you can find her here: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Corn Host Plant Resistance Research Unit: Wikipedia: Entomology Department, University of Florida: Mississippi State Extension Fall Armyworms page: Mississippi State Extension Fall Armyworms in Hayfields and Pastures article: USDA-ARS Facebook: USDA-ARS LinkedIn: FAO Fall Armyworm page: USDA Fall Armyworm article: Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Food Waste Microplastics with Kate Porterfield and Dr. Eric Roy
10/20/2023
Food Waste Microplastics with Kate Porterfield and Dr. Eric Roy
“Microplastics in Composts, Digestates and Food Wastes: A Review” with Kate Porterfield, PhD Candidate at University Vermont and Dr. Eric Roy, Associate Professor at University of Vermont. Diverting organic materials and food waste from landfills and recycling them for beneficial use in agriculture is a great way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, intermingled microplastics from packaging and other sources could make these recycled materials less beneficial than they otherwise might be. This episode, Kate and Eric discuss their review paper studying the prevalence of these contaminants, how they’re measured, and how these results intertwine with current policy efforts. Tune in to learn: · How microplastics can get into food waste · How scientists measure microplastics · Needs for syncing research and policy · How factors like weight, density, and mass can impact microplastic measurements If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Kate, you can find her here: If you would like to reach out to Eric, you can find him here: If you would like to reach out to Jaya Nepal from our Student Spotlight, you can find him here: Twitter: Instagram: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Nutrient Cycling & Ecological Design Lab @ UVM: “Organics Recycling Tradeoffs: Biogas Potential and Microplastic Content of Mechanically Depackaged Food Waste” article in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering: EPA Emerging Issues in Food Waste Management series: Sponsored by METER Group. METER sensors deliver real-time, plant, soil, and atmospheric data that fuels environmental research. Listen to METER Group’s new podcast We Measure the World to hear how innovative researchers leverage environmental data to make our world a better—and more sustainable—place at . Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Environmental Effects on Garlic Quality with Dr. Pablo Cavagnaro
09/15/2023
Environmental Effects on Garlic Quality with Dr. Pablo Cavagnaro
“Genotypic and environmental effects on the compounds associated with garlic flavor, health-enhancing properties, and postharvest conservation” with Dr. Pablo Cavagnaro. Garlic is a widely consumed species used for culinary as well as therapeutic and medicinal purposes. Different compounds within garlic can affect its effectiveness for these purposes, which are also driving factors for the market value. These compounds' availability in the garlic bulbs along with the dry (solid) matter of garlic are affected by environmental factors, which ultimately affect the farmer’s income. How does the environment affect garlic’s quality? What is the suitable environment for producing high quality garlic? Which quality factors are more sensitive and less sensitive to environmental factors? In this episode, Dr. Cavagnaro discusses his work studying genotypic and environmental effects on garlic quality factors, identifying the genes responsible for quality factors, and developing better cultivars for garlic producing locations. Tune in to learn: ● Which issues farmers face in garlic cultivation ● How the environment affects garlic quality ● How storage quality is related to garlic quality ● How garlic breeding can be done If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: It will be freely available from 15 September to 30 September, 2023. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Pablo Cavagnaro, you can find him here: If you would like to reach out to Deepak Ghimire from our Student Spotlight, you can find him here: Twitter: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: National Scientific and Technical Research Council – Argentina: Pablo’s Google Scholar: Pablo’s Scopus: Pablo’s ResearchGate: Pablo’s ORCID: Sponsored by METER Group. METER sensors deliver real-time, plant, soil, and atmospheric data that fuels environmental research. Listen to METER Group’s new podcast We Measure the World to hear how innovative researchers leverage environmental data to make our world a better—and more sustainable—place at . Thank you to Om Prakash Ghimire for help on the creation of show notes and other assets. Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Microbial Function in Restored Wetlands with Amelia Fitch
08/18/2023
Microbial Function in Restored Wetlands with Amelia Fitch
“Partial recovery of microbial function in restored coastal marshes of Oregon, USA” with Amelia Fitch, PhD Candidate at Dartmouth College Draining or restoring a wetland has a significant impact on the land’s ability to store carbon. A lot of that has to do with the microbial communities that live within these wetlands, but when a wetland is restored, how long does it really take for those communities to shift and what does that mean for the land’s carbon storage capacity? This episode, Amelia discusses her work studying wetland restoration and its effects on carbon sequestration and microbial communities. Tune in to learn: · The similarities between feeding birds and studying microbes · The differences between restored freshwater and saltwater marshes · How wetland restoration can be done · How restoration impacts wetland microbial communities If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: It will be freely available from 18 Aug to 31 Aug, 2023. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Amelia, you can find her here: If you would like to reach out to Sk Musfiq Us Salehin from our Student Spotlight, you can find him here: Twitter: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Science paper about wetland restoration and clean water: Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership: South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve: Sponsored by METER Group. METER sensors deliver real-time, plant, soil, and atmospheric data that fuels environmental research. Listen to METER Group’s new podcast We Measure the World to hear how innovative researchers leverage environmental data to make our world a better—and more sustainable—place at Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Pesticide Potential in Tailwater Recovery Systems with Dr. Matt Moore
07/21/2023
Pesticide Potential in Tailwater Recovery Systems with Dr. Matt Moore
“Pesticide trends in a tailwater recovery system in the Mississippi Delta” with Dr. Matt Moore, Supervisory Ecologist and Research Leader of the USDA-ARS Water Quality and Ecology Research Unit at the National Sedimentation Laboratory in Oxford, Mississippi Farmers in Mississippi have a two-fold problem. Agriculture requires a lot of water, leading to a water quantity problem, and agricultural runoff can cause environmental issues, leading to a water quality problem. One potential solution? Tailwater recovery systems. These systems collect and recycle water from rain and runoff so it can be used for irrigation on farmer fields. When the water is re-used, however, it is important that excess pesticides don’t harm the watered crops. This episode, Dr. Matt Moore discusses his work studying potential pesticide contamination in tailwater recovery systems. Tune in to learn: · How tailwater recovery systems work · What kinds of pesticides may be detected in tailwater recovery systems · What, if any, harm pesticides found in tailwater recovery systems can cause · Considerations for farmers who want to add a tailwater recovery system to their farm If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Matt, you can find him here: If you would like to reach out to Sachin Dhanda from our Student Spotlight, you can find him here: Twitter: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: USDA NRCS: USDA ARS: Sponsored by METER Group. METER sensors deliver real-time, plant, soil, and atmospheric data that fuels environmental research. Listen to METER Group’s new podcast We Measure the World to hear how innovative researchers leverage environmental data to make our world a better—and more sustainable—place at Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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100th Episode Funstravaganza
06/22/2023
100th Episode Funstravaganza
It’s our birthday, our five-year anniversary, and our 100th episode, which means it’s time to paaaaarty! Join us for a brief interview with host Abby as she looks back on five years of podcasting, followed by our usual birthday blooper reel. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Abby, you can find her here: Resources Transcripts: Newsletter Signup: Field, Lab, Earth Website: Field, Lab, Earth Twitter: Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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Cover Crop Questions with Drs. Joby Czarnecki and Beth Baker
06/16/2023
Cover Crop Questions with Drs. Joby Czarnecki and Beth Baker
“Transitioning from conventional to cover crop systems with minimum tillage does not alter nutrient loading” with Drs. Joby Czarnecki and Beth Baker of Mississippi State University Cover crops are often lauded as agricultural heroes boasting of a variety of ecosystems services and benefits to farmers and the world. But are these crops always the best option and do they always provide benefits wherever they go? In this episode, Joby and Beth join us for a more nuanced look at the benefits of cover crops and how research can make sure farmers are really applying the best strategies for their farms. Tune in to learn: · Which environmental factors can undercut conservation practices · What trade-offs can exist when adding cover crops to an optimized system · How cover crops affected water quality in the study · What factors farmers should consider when introducing cover crops If you would like more information about this topic, this episode’s paper is available here: This paper is always freely available. Contact us at 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: . If you would like to reach out to Joby, you can find her here: Personal Twitter: Research Unit Twitter: If you would like to reach out to Beth, you can find her here: Twitter: If you would like to reach out to Agustin Olivo from our Student Spotlight, you can find him here: Twitter: LinkedIn: Resources CEU Quiz: Transcripts: Mississippi State University Extension: NRCS: SARE: Southern Cover Crops Council: Midwestern Cover Crops Council: Good Idea Farm: Sponsored by METER Group. METER sensors deliver real-time, plant, soil, and atmospheric data that fuels environmental research. Listen to METER Group’s new podcast We Measure the World to hear how innovative researchers leverage environmental data to make our world a better—and more sustainable—place at Field, Lab, Earth is Copyrighted by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America.
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