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Research
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AAES research working to minimize nematode losses in Alabama crops
Farmers have a hard enough time battling the pests they can see. The ones they can’t see — like plant parasitic nematodes — present another challenge altogether. These worm-like, sometimes microscopic animals are major agricultural pathogens that attack Alabama crop...
Auburn part of NSF’s $56 million investment in climate change research
The Auburn University College of Agriculture and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station were awarded approximately $6 million from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) for a four-year project entitled “Developing effective adaptation strategies to enhance...
Potential seen for drone-spraying in agricultural fields
While drones were initially used in agriculture primarily for collecting crop and field-condition data, Auburn University researcher Steve Li is leading an effort to...
Ru part of national team to receive $5.2 million for specialty crop breeding research
Blueberry breeding and research at Auburn University received new support in the form of a $5.2 million award from the USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative Program....
Building a better peanut plant
Auburn researchers look for drought tolerance The old adage of not being able to control the weather might be true, but Auburn researchers are looking for ways to at...
Auburn project part of $16.2 million innovative plant breeding effort
An Auburn University researcher’s project is part of a $16.2 million U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) effort to address breeding crops for the future. The Plant Breeding for Agricultural Production program area...
Research examines effects of food proximity on waste
There’s lot of waste in this land of plenty, with an estimated 30% of the edible food produced annually in the U.S. being wasted. This amounts to more than 133 billion pounds and $160 billion worth of food, with a significant portion wasted at the consumer level. This...
Microbiome exploration represents a new frontier of research
With scientific research and discovery occurring at a dizzying rate, it’s difficult to imagine there are frontiers yet to be fully explored, but the microbiome is one. While microbiomes have always existed, little is known about their function in plants and animals....
Student-led study automates redox tracking with rhizosphere camera
What happens in a wetland? It’s a simple question with a not-so-simple answer that Auburn University graduate student Olivia LeFevre started studying as an undergraduate under the direction of Associate Professor Thorsten Knappenberger. “I came to Dr. Knappenberger...
Researcher seeks to understand how cover cropping prevents weather-related planting loss
The agriculture industry in the United States is one of the most vulnerable to climate change because of its reliance on favorable weather. Because of this, an Auburn University researcher is seeking to fill a need for rigorous, quantitative evidence of how cover...
Research shows effects of stricter work requirements for SNAP
As Congress begins debating a new Farm Bill — including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — an Auburn University research project reveals one of the effects of stricter work requirements for participating in SNAP. SNAP provides nutrition benefits to...
Auburn shares in nearly $2.8 million agricultural production systems grant
Auburn University is one of four U.S. universities to share in a nearly $2.8 million grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The award is part of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative-Foundational Knowledge of Agricultural...
Researchers reimagine controlled environment agriculture
While controlled environment agriculture or CEA has the potential to improve access to local, nutritious fruits and vegetables on a year-round basis, the greenhouse gas emissions associated with greenhouse production is five times higher than field-grown produce. For...
Phosphorus shortage could affect worldwide crop yields
While phosphorus is an essential element for plant metabolism and growth, its future supply under elevated levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide is uncertain. A shortage of this important nutrient could lead to lower crop yields, especially in poorer countries. “Our...
Researchers lead $2 million research project to produce hydrogen
Auburn University researchers are leading a $2 million Department of Energy grant that aims to produce hydrogen from blended feedstock such as legacy waste coal, forest residues and municipal solid waste. “The benefits of converting waste coal, biomass and food waste...
Proposal among 2023 JGI Community Science Program awardees
A proposal from Auburn University is one of 19 selected for the 2023 Community Science Program call of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI), a DOE Office of Science User Facility located at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley...
Auburn-developed robotics promising for U.S. forest tree industry
Like many U.S. industries, forest seedling nursery production is dependent on seasonal manual labor, a situation that is becoming untenable due to an acute shortage of workers. However, researchers at Auburn University are working on a robotic system that could...
Graduate Research Poster Showcase to be held Oct. 20
Nearly 80 graduate students in the College of Agriculture at Auburn University will have the opportunity to showcase their research with industry professionals, faculty, staff and their peers at the fifth annual Graduate Research Poster Showcase from 1-5 p.m....
Lecturer asks: What has ag research done for you?
What has agricultural research done for you? It’s a fair enough question, and one that many of us might have a problem answering. But the answers are numerous enough to fill a book or two, which is exactly what Gale Buchanan has done. Buchanan, who spent the first 21...
Study explores plant-based meat alternatives buying habits
A recent study led by Auburn University agricultural economists suggests that plant-based meat alternatives (PBMA) might be seen by consumers as a niche product rather than as an actual substitute for meat. “We realized there is very little information about how...
Overcoming barriers to aquaponics in food deserts
It looks like a natural fit: a sustainable system that produces fresh vegetables and fish located in food deserts with marginalized populations. And, while there has been an explosion in the interest surrounding such an arrangement, there are significant technological...
Wenying Li presented prestigious article award
Wenying Li, an assistant professor in the Auburn University College of Agriculture’s Department of Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology, has received the 2021 American Journal of Agricultural Economics (AJAE) Outstanding Article Award for his work,...
Nanomaterials could make pesticide use more efficient and sustainable
While nearly 4 million tons of conventional pesticides are used annually, only a small amount — 1% to 25% — reach the target organisms, leaving a large proportion released into the environment as a potential hazard. This is due to many factors such as spray drift,...
Research looks at nutrient loss in soybeans
By Jacqueline Kochak Stroll through the humid main corridor at Auburn University’s Plant Science Research Center and you’ll notice potted trees bearing clusters of green bananas and small shrubs with pineapples nestled in the center. Those are for the school children...
Auburn, HudsonAlpha look to the past to develop better crops
In 2020, Auburn’s College of Agriculture hired a historian and storyteller, although his resumé says he’s a geneticist. He was hired to help partner Auburn’s strength in plant breeding with the genome-sequencing renown of Huntsville’s HudsonAlpha Institute for...
Parasite examined for its link to poor diet, obesity
With the obesity rate sitting at 36 percent and climbing, researchers are investigating factors contributing to the notoriously poor diet quality in the United States. One possibility might be a common parasite that causes impulsive decisions and changes risk...
Auburn project part of $16.2 million innovative plant breeding effort
An Auburn University researcher’s project is part of a $16.2 million U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) effort to address breeding crops for the future. The Plant Breeding for Agricultural Production program area...
Research examines effects of food proximity on waste
There’s lot of waste in this land of plenty, with an estimated 30% of the edible food produced annually in the U.S. being wasted. This amounts to more than 133 billion pounds and $160 billion worth of food, with a significant portion wasted at the consumer level. This...
Microbiome exploration represents a new frontier of research
With scientific research and discovery occurring at a dizzying rate, it’s difficult to imagine there are frontiers yet to be fully explored, but the microbiome is one. While microbiomes have always existed, little is known about their function in plants and animals....
Student-led study automates redox tracking with rhizosphere camera
What happens in a wetland? It’s a simple question with a not-so-simple answer that Auburn University graduate student Olivia LeFevre started studying as an undergraduate under the direction of Associate Professor Thorsten Knappenberger. “I came to Dr. Knappenberger...
Researcher seeks to understand how cover cropping prevents weather-related planting loss
The agriculture industry in the United States is one of the most vulnerable to climate change because of its reliance on favorable weather. Because of this, an Auburn University researcher is seeking to fill a need for rigorous, quantitative evidence of how cover...
Research shows effects of stricter work requirements for SNAP
As Congress begins debating a new Farm Bill — including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — an Auburn University research project reveals one of the effects of stricter work requirements for participating in SNAP. SNAP provides nutrition benefits to...
Auburn shares in nearly $2.8 million agricultural production systems grant
Auburn University is one of four U.S. universities to share in a nearly $2.8 million grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The award is part of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative-Foundational Knowledge of Agricultural...
Researchers reimagine controlled environment agriculture
While controlled environment agriculture or CEA has the potential to improve access to local, nutritious fruits and vegetables on a year-round basis, the greenhouse gas emissions associated with greenhouse production is five times higher than field-grown produce. For...
Phosphorus shortage could affect worldwide crop yields
While phosphorus is an essential element for plant metabolism and growth, its future supply under elevated levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide is uncertain. A shortage of this important nutrient could lead to lower crop yields, especially in poorer countries. “Our...
Researchers lead $2 million research project to produce hydrogen
Auburn University researchers are leading a $2 million Department of Energy grant that aims to produce hydrogen from blended feedstock such as legacy waste coal, forest residues and municipal solid waste. “The benefits of converting waste coal, biomass and food waste...
Proposal among 2023 JGI Community Science Program awardees
A proposal from Auburn University is one of 19 selected for the 2023 Community Science Program call of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI), a DOE Office of Science User Facility located at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley...
Auburn-developed robotics promising for U.S. forest tree industry
Like many U.S. industries, forest seedling nursery production is dependent on seasonal manual labor, a situation that is becoming untenable due to an acute shortage of workers. However, researchers at Auburn University are working on a robotic system that could...
Graduate Research Poster Showcase to be held Oct. 20
Nearly 80 graduate students in the College of Agriculture at Auburn University will have the opportunity to showcase their research with industry professionals, faculty, staff and their peers at the fifth annual Graduate Research Poster Showcase from 1-5 p.m....
Lecturer asks: What has ag research done for you?
What has agricultural research done for you? It’s a fair enough question, and one that many of us might have a problem answering. But the answers are numerous enough to fill a book or two, which is exactly what Gale Buchanan has done. Buchanan, who spent the first 21...
Study explores plant-based meat alternatives buying habits
A recent study led by Auburn University agricultural economists suggests that plant-based meat alternatives (PBMA) might be seen by consumers as a niche product rather than as an actual substitute for meat. “We realized there is very little information about how...
Overcoming barriers to aquaponics in food deserts
It looks like a natural fit: a sustainable system that produces fresh vegetables and fish located in food deserts with marginalized populations. And, while there has been an explosion in the interest surrounding such an arrangement, there are significant technological...
Wenying Li presented prestigious article award
Wenying Li, an assistant professor in the Auburn University College of Agriculture’s Department of Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology, has received the 2021 American Journal of Agricultural Economics (AJAE) Outstanding Article Award for his work,...
Nanomaterials could make pesticide use more efficient and sustainable
While nearly 4 million tons of conventional pesticides are used annually, only a small amount — 1% to 25% — reach the target organisms, leaving a large proportion released into the environment as a potential hazard. This is due to many factors such as spray drift,...
Research looks at nutrient loss in soybeans
By Jacqueline Kochak Stroll through the humid main corridor at Auburn University’s Plant Science Research Center and you’ll notice potted trees bearing clusters of green bananas and small shrubs with pineapples nestled in the center. Those are for the school children...
Auburn, HudsonAlpha look to the past to develop better crops
In 2020, Auburn’s College of Agriculture hired a historian and storyteller, although his resumé says he’s a geneticist. He was hired to help partner Auburn’s strength in plant breeding with the genome-sequencing renown of Huntsville’s HudsonAlpha Institute for...
Parasite examined for its link to poor diet, obesity
With the obesity rate sitting at 36 percent and climbing, researchers are investigating factors contributing to the notoriously poor diet quality in the United States. One possibility might be a common parasite that causes impulsive decisions and changes risk...