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Welcome to the Crop and Soil Sciences Seminar Series. Following is a list of the scheduled seminars for the 2009-10 academic year. Unless otherwise noted, all seminars are on Thursday, from 12:20 PM to 1:10 PM in 135 Emerson Hall. Please contact Lin Marco (lm69) or 5-1410 to reserve a slot.
Crop and Soil Sciences
NEXT SEMINAR
11/13/09 - 10:00 - 11:00 am Sustainable agriculture and food security (Rattan Lal, Professor, Carbon Management and Sequestration Center, Ohio
State University) Abstract: Global population has increased six fold over the past two hundred years and is expected to reach 10 billion by the end of the century at our current trajectory. This has resulted in increasing pressure on food production and has great implications on food security. Agricultural inputs, institutions, investments, and infrastructures must peruse sustainability to avoid a food production disaster. Soil quality and processes are the central links between food security, energy demand, water resources, and climate change. Marginal soils cultivated with marginal inputs produce marginal yields and support marginal living. The causes of soil degradation must be identified and restorative measures must be implemented if we are to balance the needs of humanity and nature.
(Note date and time changes.)
FALL 2009
09/03/09 - Soil testing for copper and other trace metals: the challenge of estimating bioavailability (Murray McBride, Professor, Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University) Abstract: Soil testing for trace elements and heavy metals is done by different methods in different regions of the United States and the world. There has been very limited assessment or validation of these tests with respect to their ability to predict plant uptake or bioavailability to animals and humans. In this talk, I will discuss some of the constraints on using soil extractions to estimate impacts on plants, animals and soil health.
09/10/09 - Applications of integrative soil quality assessment in research, extension and education (Bianca Moebius-Clune, PhD Candidate, Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University) Abstract: Declining soil quality is emerging as an issue of increasing global concern as degraded soils are becoming more prevalent due to intensive use and poor management. The loss of agronomically essential functions of the soil significantly impacts agricultural viability, environmental sustainability and food security. The Cornell Soil Health Test (CSHT) was developed as a tool to be used in applied research, extension and education to assess and monitor soil quality, aid in making management decisions, and also to increase the public awareness of the importance of soil quality maintenance. Bianca will briefly discuss student engagement and learning during a guided inquiry unit on runoff and infiltration that she designed for high school earth science classrooms. She will then discuss results from applying the CSHT to a chronosequence experiment on smallholder farms in Western Kenya. The CSHT, measuring an integrative set of physical, biological and chemical indicators of soil quality, showed dramatic degradation in low-input maize fields, but much lesser degradation in kitchen gardens. Indicator values and interpretive scores derived from scoring functions successfully discerned effects of long-term as well as residual short-term agricultural management differences, and were predictive of yield on these smallholder farms. The CSHT was shown to be useful for monitoring, assessment and guidance in on-farm management decisions.
09/17/09 - Spatial and temporal effect of conservation farming along an environmental gradient in Southern East Africa (Lydiah Gatere, PhD Student, Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University) Abstract: Conservation farming (CF) aims to address the problems of poor agricultural productivity and soil degradation in smallholder agriculture by improving soil quality. The yield advantage across a wide environmental gradient was examined in the miombo woodlands of Southern East Africa. Further, the potential to improve maize yields was investigated through organic matter additions of contrasting quality and monitored for a two- year period. A chronosequence study was done to assess the dynamics of soil fertility build-up over a 10 year establishment period. Comparable maize yields were observed with CF and traditional farming practices. The next step in this research is to evaluate the relations between nutrient uptake with nutrient additions.
09/24/09 - How changing soil moisture regimes affect nitrification in the rice rhizosphere (Warshi Dandeniya, PhD Student, Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University) Abstract: Water scarcity is a major constraint for rice production in Asia. Thus, water saving rice cultivation methods such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and aerobic cultivation, have received much attention recently. Yields of rice grown under aerobic conditions are highly variable and often very low compared to the traditional wetland cultivation. Nitrogen (N) nutrition is among the several factors contributing to the low yield of aerobically grown rice. Nitrification, the conversion of ammonia to nitrate, is a microbiologically mediated soil process that determines the pool size of plant-available inorganic N in unsaturated soils. I am studying the nitrifying microbial communities inhabiting the rhizosphere of rice grown under saturated and unsaturated soil conditions using molecular techniques. The effects of plant root exudates and extracts on the activity of ammonia-oxidizing Nitrosomonas europaea were also tested for selected rice varieties. My next step in this research will be to assess how soil N forms affect rice N use efficiency of selected rice varieties.
10/01/09 - From the Ionome to the Genome: Identifying Genes Involved in Metal Homeostasis in Plants (Mary Lou Guerinot, Professor, Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College) Abstract: Although the mechanisms controlling iron uptake from the soil are well understood, relatively little is known subcellular trafficking or iron deficiency signaling in plants. Studies in Arabidopsis identified FIT as a transcription factor essential for uptake of iron from the soil. FIT controls expression of many but not all iron-regulated genes, including the FRO2 gene encoding the ferric chelate reductase that reduces Fe at the root-soil interface. Although mRNA abundance for the essential Fe transporter IRT1 is somewhat decreased in roots of fit plants, IRT1 protein is not detectable in fit. We decided to carry out a genetic screen for other genes that control IRT1 expression. One recessive mutant, uri (upstream regulator of IRT1), does not induce IRT1 expression in response to Fe deficiency. As might be expected of a mutant that does not express the essential IRT1 protein, the uri mutant dies after germinating in soil unless supplied with high levels of soluble Fe. FIT expression is not induced under Fe deficiency in the uri mutant, suggesting that URI lies upstream of FIT in the Fe deficiency signaling pathway. We have also been continuing our studies on localization of metals using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and can now image at the subcellular level. In addition, we have been using high throughput elemental profiling via inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy – mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) to define a plant’s ionome and have used this information for functional characterization of various mutants, for gene discovery, for developing ionomic signatures of different physiological states and for exploring natural variation. For example, we have identified several promising lines that accumulate more Fe in their seed. Our long-term goal is to understand the network of genes responsible for integrating information about iron status and orchestrating a coordinated response. Such an understanding will transform efforts towards sustainable improvements of crop yields in terms of plant productivity and nutrient content.
10/08/09 - Alcohol feedstocks: High-profit, high-yield, ecological alternative to corn (David Blume, Executive Director, International Institute for Ecological Agriculture (IIEA)) Abstract: There are plants other than corn and corn cellulose that that can be used to ecologically and sustainably produce Alcohol Fuel, and to improve crop yields and soil fertility. Mr. Blume will talk about a wide array of crops that can flourish in deserts, marshes, marginal farmland. These can be rotated with other crops on prime soil and will produce far higher per acre yields of clean sustainable Alcohol Fuel than corn. Mr. Blume also introduces some basic concepts around source repurposing, and presents prime examples of turning Waste to Fuel. Further, he will explain how we can economically and efficiently produce Alcohol Fuel from ocean sources.
10/15/09 - Historical and Future Soil Management Issues in the Northeastern USA (Harold van Es, Professor of Soil Science/Chair of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University) Abstract: The history of agricultural soil management in the Northeastern US is a fascinating story of adaptation to environmental and economic conditions. Land was deforested and converted to agriculture during the colonial period, but soil quality rapidly declined. Efforts to improve land quality started in the early 1800s as the limits of exhaustive land management were becoming apparent. Most marginal agricultural lands were abandoned and agriculture became more intensive with emphasis on livestock and horticultural industries. In recent years, the emphasis has shifted to off-site impacts reflecting the social cost of agriculture related to its proximity to large population centers. Results of policies and practices have been mixed. Emerging opportunities and needs in the region are related to (i) opportunities for risk-based and adaptive management, (ii) the expected increase in the production of bioenergy crops, (iii) increased interest in holistic soil management, and (iv) opportunities associated with new technologies.
10/22/09 - New approaches for assessing carbon sequestration, other ecosystem services and livelihood benefits in complex agricultural landscapes (James Lassoie, Professor, Natural Resources, Cornell University and David Wolfe, Professor, Horticulture, Cornell University) Abstract: The seminar will highlight the approach that a recently formed, multi-disciplinary research team at Cornell is taking to explore methodologies that will cost-effectively estimate carbon stocks and potential future carbon sequestration, and linked ecosystem services and livelihood benefits, in complex agriculture landscapes. Members of the team will frame the range of approaches available, and illustrate the challenges of preparing a cooperative of over 10,000 small land-holder farmers in Zambia for taking advantage of emerging international carbon market opportunities. They will explain how prospective monitoring protocols are being developed to document carbon sequestration associated with agriculture and forestland management through strategic soil sampling, and how associated livelihood security will be assessed. Current partners in this methodology development initiative will be identified and potential opportunities for expanded collaboration will be discussed.
CANCELLED10/29/09 - Predicting susceptibility to invasive species establishment at landscape scale (Pat McNally, MS Candidate, Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University) Abstract: Both rule-based and probabilistic spatial models were used to predict the establishment of an invasive weed species in central New York using presence-only field data. The rule-based model used biophysical factors of ecological land type, elevation, slope aspect, soil, and parking area location. Three probabilistic spatial models were evaluated, including maximum entropy (MaxEnt), Boosted Regression Trees (BRT), and Bioclim DIVA GIS using biophysical spatial variables of soil type, elevation, slope aspect, and slope gradient. Model predictions and comparisons will be presented and areas of potential applications will be discussed.
11/05/09 - NO SEMINAR
11/13/09 - 10:00 - 11:00 am Sustainable agriculture and food security (Rattan Lal, Professor, Carbon Management and Sequestration Center, Ohio
State University) Abstract: Global population has increased six fold over the past two hundred years and is expected to reach 10 billion by the end of the century at our current trajectory. This has resulted in increasing pressure on food production and has great implications on food security. Agricultural inputs, institutions, investments, and infrastructures must peruse sustainability to avoid a food production disaster. Soil quality and processes are the central links between food security, energy demand, water resources, and climate change. Marginal soils cultivated with marginal inputs produce marginal yields and support marginal living. The causes of soil degradation must be identified and restorative measures must be implemented if we are to balance the needs of humanity and nature.
(Note date and time changes.)
11/19/09 - (Zhiyang Zhai)
11/26/09 - NO SEMINAR - THANKSGIVING RECESS
12/03/09 - (Ryan Haden)
Other Related Seminars
Biogeochemistry and Environmental Change
Natural Resources
Plant Breeding
Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 Seminars
Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 Seminars
Fall 2006 and Spring 2007 Seminars
Fall 2005 and Spring 2006 Seminars
Fall 2004 and Spring 2005 Seminars
Fall 2003 and Spring 2004 Seminars
Fall 2002 and Spring 2003 Seminars
Spring 2002 Seminars
Fall 2001 Seminars
Spring 2001 Seminars
Fall 2000 Seminars
Spring 2000 Seminars