1001 Bradfield Hall
(607) 255-1740
BS 1952 The Pennsylvania State University
MS 1956 Kansas State University
PhD 1959 Michigan State University
Thomas W. Scott is a Professor Emeritus of Soil Science. He joined the department in 1959 as an Assistant Professor with responsibilities in soil fertility extension. In 1969 he switched responsibilities to teaching and research with a major commitment to teaching. His areas of research are in soil fertility, soil management and sustainable agriculture. His leave in 1982-83 provided him with the opportunity to study sustainable agriculture and development in the humid tropics. He was a Faculty Fellow with the University Residence Life program. He has received the Outstanding Teaching Award and Outstanding Advising Award in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He has also received the Teaching Award from the Northeast Branch of the American Society of Agronomy.
My research has been in the areas of soil fertility and crop management effects on long term soil productivity. This research has been directed toward determining the effect of intercrops and cover crops in corn polyculture systems on several soil properties including nitrogen. This research was prompted by the large increase in New York's corn acreage in the 1960's and 70's. In many cases crop rotations were abandoned in favor of monoculture corn and increased use of pesticides. It is hoped that this research will help in the development of cropping systems that are sustainable yet have a reduced input of chemicals. I have also been involved with an interdisciplinary group doing research on tropical agriculture and environmental conservation.
Courses Taught
Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture
Soil and Water Management
Ecology of Agricultural Systems
Selected Publications
Scott, T.W., J. Mt.Pleasant, R.F. Burt and D.J. Otis. 1987. Contributions of ground cover, dry matter, and nitrogen from intercrops and cover crops in a corn polyculture system. Agron. J. Vol. 79, No. 5, pp 792-798.
Lefrancois, M.P. and T.W. Scott. 1988. Phosphorus response of forage legumes intercropped in corn. Applied Agric. Res. Vol. 3, No. 2, pp 105-109.
Sarrantonio, M. and T.W. Scott. 1988. Tillage effects on availability of nitrogen to corn following a winter green manure crop. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 52:1661-1668.
Siebert, S.F. and T.W. Scott. 1990. Influence of topsoil removal and fertilizer application on peanut yields from an Indonesian Ultisol. Agric. Ecosyst. and Environ. 32:213-221.
White, J.G. and T.W. Scott. 1991. Effects of perennial forage legume living mulches on no-till winter wheat and rye. Field Crops Research.
He has recently served or is currently serving on the following committees: