Episodes

  • Benefits of Microarthropods with Dr. Ashley Jernigan

    Benefits of Microarthropods with Dr. Ashley Jernigan
    Jan 17 2025

    “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: https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21597

    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 Ashley, you can find her here:
    https://x.com/Jernigan_AB
    www.ashleybjernigan.com
    Ashley Jernigan | School of Plant and Environmental Sciences | Virginia Tech

    Resources

    CEU Quiz: https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning-Center/Courses/Course-Detail?productid=%7b7285E2E8-2CD4-EF11-8EE9-0022480C3B17%7d

    Transcripts: https://www.rev.com/app/transcript/Njc4OTI5M2Y0ZjNhZjcwMTI3OGE5Y2ExX3hzQURLZWFjR1NX/o/VEMwMDYzOTQ3MjA5

    Soil mesofauna fact sheets: https://bpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/blogs.cornell.edu/dist/9/4123/files/2021/07/Jernigan_EOA-Fact-Sheets_Merged.pdf

    Soil mesofauna video: https://youtu.be/AHVGFDpRXhQ?si=-q_ASEwB2D-4u3kF

    Chaos of Delight: https://www.chaosofdelight.org/gallery

    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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    33 mins
  • Grazing Cover Crops in the Great Plains with Drs. John Holman and Augustine Obour

    Grazing Cover Crops in the Great Plains with Drs. John Holman and Augustine Obour
    Dec 20 2024

    “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: https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21475

    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 John, you can find him here:
    jholman@ksu.edu

    If you would like to reach out to Augustine, you can find him here:
    aobour@ksu.edu

    If you would like to reach out to Tanner Judd from our Student Spotlight, you can find him here:
    tcjudd@wisc.edu

    Resources

    CEU Quiz: https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning-Center/Courses/Course-Detail?productid=%7bB578A14C-E8BE-EF11-B8E8-002248082C44%7d

    Transcripts: https://www.rev.com/app/transcript/Njc2NWFjMDZlY2VmZGEyMzAxYWVmZjVmMm1YaXJlc25RSUY2/o/VEMwNTU1NTk5MjQy

    EA Consumables is the exclusive US distributor of organic elemental analysis products by UK laboratory supplies manufacturer, Elemental Microanalysis. Visit the EA Consumables website 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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    50 mins
  • Pipeline remediation timelines with Theresa Brehm

    Pipeline remediation timelines with Theresa Brehm
    Nov 15 2024
    “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: https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.20506 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 Theresa Brehm, you can find her here: Theresa.Brehm@usda.gov If you would like to reach out to Amanda Duim Ferreira from our Student Spotlight, you can find her here: amandaduim@usp.br Resources CEU Quiz: https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning-Center/Courses/Course-Detail?productid=%7b20F47A3C-1FA8-EF11-8A69-6045BD07B9E9%7d Transcripts: https://www.rev.com/app/transcript/NjczNjM4NjJhMGI4MDA3Zjc2OWU0MjQwUmpDQmxtUldRejlI/o/VEMwNjYwNzk3NTQ2 Evaluation of Pipeline Installation on Crop Productivity in Ohio: https://soilfertility.osu.edu/https%3A/soilfertility.osu.edu/node/170/evaluation-pipeline-installation-crop-productivity-ohio “Pipeline installation effects on soils and plants: A review and quantitative synthesis” published in Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment: https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20312 Summary of Landowner Experience Survey: https://soilfertility.osu.edu/sites/soilf/files/imce/Research/Landowner%20Pipeline%20Experiences.pdf “How Pipeline Installations Impact Agricultural Fields and Landowners” published in Crops & Soils: https://doi.org/10.1002/crso.20338 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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    38 mins
  • Managing Sorghum Aphid with Drs. Somashekhar Punnuri, Karen Harris-Shultz, Joseph Knoll, and Xinzhi Ni

    Managing Sorghum Aphid with Drs. Somashekhar Punnuri, Karen Harris-Shultz, Joseph Knoll, and Xinzhi Ni
    Oct 31 2024
    “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: https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21301 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 Som, you can contact him here: Punnuris@fvsu.edu https://ag.fvsu.edu/members/profile/view/63 If you would like to reach out to Karen, you can contact her here: karen.harris@usda.gov https://www.ars.usda.gov/people-locations/person?person-id=43959 If you would like to reach out to Joe, you can contact him here: joe.knoll@usda.govhttps://www.ars.usda.gov/people-locations/person?person-id=48564 If you would like to reach out to Xinzhi, you can contact him here: xinzhi.ni@usda.gov https://www.ars.usda.gov/people-locations/person?person-id=35259 If you would like to reach out to Sarah Chu from our Student Spotlight, you can find her here: sarah.chu@tamu.edu X: https://x.com/weedysarahchu Resources CEU Quiz: https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning-Center/Courses/Course-Detail?productid=%7bDF51FF70-9397-EF11-8A6A-000D3A350361%7d Transcripts: Coming soon Sorghum Checkoff: https://www.sorghumcheckoff.com/our-farmers/insects-weeds-diseases/insect-control/sugarcane-aphid/ “Biological and genetic features of introduced aphid populations in agroecosystems” published in Current Opinion in Insect Science: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cois.2018.01.004 Sorghum aphid reporting tool: https://www.myfields.info/ 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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    48 mins
  • Upscaling Soil Moisture Data with Dr. Tyson Ochsner

    Upscaling Soil Moisture Data with Dr. Tyson Ochsner
    Oct 18 2024

    “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: https://doi.org/10.1002/vzj2.20244

    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 Tyson, you can find him here:
    tyson.ochsner@okstate.edu

    If you would like to reach out to Jasia Jannat from our Student Spotlight, you can find her here:
    Jasia.Jannat@uga.edu
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasia-jannat-06124a124/

    Resources

    CEU Quiz: https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning-Center/Courses/Course-Detail?productid=%7b3FFBDD50-9C8C-EF11-AC20-0022480C3B17%7d

    Transcripts: Coming soon

    OK State Soil Moisture Map: http://soilmoisture.okstate.edu/

    Rain or Shine book: https://open.library.okstate.edu/rainorshine/

    OK State University Soil Physics YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@okstate_soil_physics

    CoCoRahs Citizen Science project: https://www.cocorahs.org/

    EA Consumables is the exclusive US distributor of organic elemental analysis products by UK laboratory supplies manufacturer, Elemental Microanalysis. Visit the EA Consumables website 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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    45 mins
  • Phenotyping Crop Variety Mixtures with Flavian Tschurr and Corina Oppliger

    Phenotyping Crop Variety Mixtures with Flavian Tschurr and Corina Oppliger
    Oct 4 2024

    “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: https://doi.org/10.1002/ppj2.20090

    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 Flavian Tschurr, you can find him here:
    flavian.tschurr@usys.ethz.ch

    If you would like to reach out to Corina Oppliger, you can find her here:
    corina.oppliger@usys.ethz.ch

    If you would like to reach out to Fiona Todd from our Student Spotlight, you can find her here:
    todd0179@umn.edu

    Resources

    CEU Quiz: https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning-Center/Courses/Course-Detail?productid=%7bDDE42A24-8B81-EF11-AC21-000D3A3B1B33%7d

    Transcripts: Coming soon

    ETH Zurich, Institute for Agricultural Sciences: https://kp.ethz.ch/

    ETH Zurich Mastadon: https://scicomm.xyz/@crop_science_eth

    ETH Zurich Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crop.science.eth/

    Field phenotyping platform- https://kp.ethz.ch/infrastructure/FIP.html

    Research paper on crop variety mixture - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-021-01497-x

    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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    34 mins
  • Biochar-Dairy Manure Mixes with Dr. Touyee Thao

    Biochar-Dairy Manure Mixes with Dr. Touyee Thao
    Sep 20 2024

    “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: https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20408

    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 Touyee, you can find him here:
    Touyee.Thao@usda.gov
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/touyee-thao-phd-54a158117

    If you would like to reach out to Kailey Miller from our Student Spotlight, you can find her here:
    mill2467@msu.edu
    Twitter: https://x.com/kaileymiller03

    Resources

    CEU Quiz: https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning-Center/Courses/Course-Detail?productid=%7bC14B78FB-0F75-EF11-A671-002248090E3E%7d

    Transcripts: Coming soon

    Link to Stage 1 (Biochar-Manure Co-compost Lab Incubation) https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.13121

    Link to full Dissertation. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/62x2w3gs

    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 www.metergroup.com/fieldlabearth.

    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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    38 mins
  • Flyway Flooding Impacts with Dr. Amitava Chatterjee

    Flyway Flooding Impacts with Dr. Amitava Chatterjee
    Aug 16 2024
    “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: https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20365 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 Amitava Chatterjee, you can find him here: amitava.chatterjee@usda.gov https://www.ars.usda.gov/midwest-area/ames/nlae/people/amitava-chatterjee/ If you would like to reach out to Sourajit Dey from our Student Spotlight, you can find him here: sdey@ksu.edu https://www.linkedin.com/in/sourajit-dey-100208215 Resources CEU Quiz: https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning-Center/Courses/Course-Detail?productid=%7b4E7B4200-A859-EF11-A316-6045BD029381%7d Transcripts: https://www.rev.com/transcript-editor/shared/cTaB7JIZ2cH1QqtVLw5JjYvca7I8sqlKOZGVC9CenIfIxy2o7zVbfXSM16t-ROCHR2T8yeGfZrOLtgLBFV5FDOfDXUw?loadFrom=SharedLink “Flooding Fields May Be a Win-Win For Farmers and Birds in the Mississippi Delta” article: https://tellus.ars.usda.gov/stories/articles/flooding-fields-may-be-win-win-farmers-and-birds-mississippi-delta “Flooding Fields in the Mississippi Delta Helps Crop Yields—and Shorebirds” article: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/flooding-fields-in-the-mississippi-delta-helps-crop-yields-and-shorebirds/# “Soil carbon mineralization, enzyme activities, and crop residue decomposition under varying soil moisture regime” article in Soil Science Society of America Journal: https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.20601 https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/18529.wba Conservation Incentive Program: Winter-Flooded Rice Fields for Waterfowl Habitat: https://youtu.be/yzOFy0weIx0?si=QoTRQHwHdwF5ZGo9 MDWFP Waterfowl Program - Mississippi Land Conservation Assistance Network: https://www.mississippilandcan.org/local-resources/MDWFP-Waterfowl-Program/20187 https://www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunting/waterfowl-program.aspx https://www.ars.usda.gov/midwest-area/ames/nlae/ 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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    40 mins