News

Four USU graduate students from Plants, Soils and Climate were selected for the Bayer B4U mentorship program, joining an elite global initiative to foster future scientists.

In a warming world, it's not just heatwaves or cold spells we need to worry about, it's the sudden swings between the two. A new study finds that "rapid temperature flips," where temperatures shift abruptly from extreme heat to extreme cold or vice versa,...

The National Collegiate Landscape Competition brought together 54 universities and over 700 student competitors from across the nation, providing valuable hands-on experience, networking opportunities with future colleagues, and direct connections to indu...

It may seem that a forecast that accurately predicts whether precipitation will fall as rain or snow isn’t very important unless your plans include skiing, snowboarding or driving through a canyon. In reality, when scientists develop forecasts or provide ...

Associate Professor Matt Yost, in the Department of Plants, Soils, and Climate and who serves at interim associate dean for research in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, has been named the 2025 CAAS Researcher of the Year for his exceptiona...

Apples are a “temperate” crop, meaning that they are adapted to temperate zones. In North America, the ideal areas are those that have the right blend of temperatures (not too hot in the summer, not too cold in the winter, and a long enough growing season...

While pursuing a college degree in her native country, India, Amita Kaundal didn’t have a chance to participate in research as an undergraduate student. But after coming to the United States and spending two years as a postdoctoral research fellow at the ...

Ty Wilson’s undergraduate research prepared him to be well ahead of his peers during an internship he attended at Michigan State. The 24-year-old Rupert, Idaho native has spent the past two years working in Dr. Amita Kaundal’s lab researching plant-microb...

The battle against weeds in your yard can be a frustrating one, especially if you feel like you’re losing. Often, if your lawn is all or mostly weeds, there’s an underlying problem that’s allowing nuisance plants to take over your turfgrass. You need to g...

In December, Dr. Man-Keun Kim (Applied Economics) visited National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) under the iPACE program, advancing Utah State University’s global academic collaborations.

Utah State University soil scientists are uncovering how fire severity affects soil erodibility and the likelihood of flooding, using drone mapping and ground analysis on burn scars like those in Spanish Fork Canyon near Price. Their findings reveal how p...

Professor Michael Pate is making a real difference in the world of agricultural safety, especially for young people. His research has been instrumental in creating safety protocols that help protect youth from the unique hazards found in agricultural work...

Abby Porter, a Utah State University plant science major, has been awarded the Outstanding Undergraduate Horticulture Student Award from the American Society for Horticultural Science. She is one of just two students in the country to receive the scholars...

Here at Utah State, researchers in the Crop Physiology Lab and in Plants, Soils and Climate are developing a new way to grow plants in orbit. They’re building a new high-tech planter box that, if selected, will be installed in the ISS and act as a self-co...

Chris Landon won’t graduate with his bachelor’s degree in horticulture until this December, but he’s already putting his education to good use. Despite having only served in the position for one year, Landon was named the Assistant Superintendent of the Y...

Climate and crop scientist and USU alumnus Avik Mukerjee is using his skills to help farmers as a new assistant agronomy agent with University of Arizona Extension. Mukerjee earned his Ph.D. at Utah State University with faculty mentor Simon Wang, profess...

Utah State University's iPACE program celebrates the successful research visit of Dr. Chen-Chia Ku, a scholar from National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan.

The 2024 Summer Uni+ Program has proven to be a fruitful collaboration between Utah State University (USU) and National Chung Hsing University (NCHU). Dr. Shaw-Yhi Hwang, a representative from NCHU, recently conveyed his gratitude to Dean White for the su...

This summer, Utah State University's distinguished professor, Dr. Man-Keun Kim, engaged in an enriching academic collaboration with National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) as part of the iPACE program. His visit was marked by a series of impactful teaching...

During the dog days of summer, a threat lurks in Utah’s dry fields and lawns — one that can harm pets, particularly dogs, and potentially lead to serious complications. It’s known as “foxtail” grass. “If the foxtail grass gets embedded, it can become quit...

A new study by scientists at Utah State University shows that a shrinking Great Salt Lake may exacerbate drought conditions along the entire Wasatch Front. "As the Great Salt Lake water body is shrinking, that local precipitation caused by a storm event i...

Dyer’s Woad, an invasive plant on Utah’s noxious weeds list, is flourishing in Cache Valley this spring. The weed, identifiable by its bright yellow flower, spreads quickly and grows thickly, displacing native plants. According to Cache County Noxious Wee...

The bright yellow flowers blooming in northern Utah may look pretty to those strolling around the state, but they worry weed scientists. Ransom says the weed uses the water and nutrients from other plants. Dyer's Woad was brought from Russia to Utah by s...

Increasingly, U.S. colleges are creating climate change programs to meet demand from students who want to apply their firsthand experience to what they do after high school, and help find solutions.

Bruce Bugbee and Lance Seefeldt are principal investigators for a multi-institution, NASA-funded team awarded a prestigious honor for foundational research efforts toward sustaining human exploration on Mars.

The Colorado River Basin goes through periods of severe water shortage and also flooding, adding greater uncertainty to the already complex challenge of creating water policy. Some years water managers have rejoiced at the heavy precipitation that falls w...

A study recently published in the journal Science Advances by an international team of scientists, including Utah State University climate scientist Wei Zhang, found worrisome trends indicating

The high-impact research led by USU Professor Simon Wang, which revealed the increasing risks of wildfires in Taiwan due to climate change, not only garnered extensive media coverage

Congratulations to Mila Li-Ting Yen for being our first iPACE-sponsored dual-degree student with NCHU to successfully complete her PhD defense! Mila has shown remarkable dedication.

"When Forests Hold Their Breath", a collaboration between Academia Sinica, National Chung Hsing University, and Utah State University, investigates the severe effects of the 2020–2021 drought on Taiwan's subtropical forests.

In a fruitful collaboration, Utah State University and Taiwan National Chung Hsing University have conducted a comprehensive analysis on the future risk of forest fires under various climate scenarios.

n an exhilarating development for academic collaboration, Utah State University (USU) and National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) have once again joined forces. The sister institutions are thrilled to announce their latest venture - the "3+x Master's Progr...

USU junior Ty Wilson, has long been fascinated by how plants grow in extreme environments such as mountains and high deserts. His research focuses on isolating microbes from a drought-tolerant native plant, Shepherdia x utahensis ‘Torrey,’ a hybrid buffal...

Even with record snowfall last year, Utah still faces long-term drought impacts. With much of the state covered in dry farmland, the need for crops that thrive in dry conditions is ever-present. Kylie Hansen aims to address this critical issue.

The Soil Health Institute (SHI), a non-profit organization created to safeguard and enhance the vitality and productivity of soil through scientific research and advancement, is seeking to hire a group of Soil Health Interns for Summer 2024.

Much like the human microbiome that benefits our bodies, plants also host microorganisms that can aid their growth and development in many ways. They can help in nutrient absorption, growth, and disease prevention.

In a collaborative initiative spearheaded by iPACE Director, Dr. Simon Wang, Dr. Brian K. Warnick, a distinguished professor and the interim Department Head for Technical Education at Utah State University, was extended a warm invitation to share his expe...

Utah State University instructor Rachel Broadbent has been promoted from lecturer to senior lecturer. Broadbent is a faculty member at USU Salt Lake Center, working in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.

Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand, has partnered with Utah State University in a study recently published in Environmental Research Letters that aims to advance climate prediction capabilities to support Thailand's thriving palm oil industry.

Dr. Wei Zhang, an assistant professor of climate science at Utah State University, is leading a project team of scientists and volunteers in developing heat index maps.

Located next to the Aggie Creamery on Utah State University’s Logan campus is a garden dedicated to nurturing both the earth and humanity. The garden not only serves to promote sustainable practices but also showcases groundbreaking research on the restor...

Some of the USU delegation traveled to southern Taiwan to tour an organic cacao farm and begin discussions about possible collaborations with USU's food science department and the Aggie Chocolate Factory.

Tina Sullivan does outstanding research in the lab and field and has been invited to present her work at conferences with other plant and soils scientists. But she has also explained her research to members of Congress and their staffers.

Students in the horticulture program at USU Salt Lake Center use the campus’ greenhouse to start these plants from seeds in the spring semester. After the plants have matured and are ready to plant in the fields in May, the crops are then given to New Roo...

By locking carbon into the soil through agricultural practices, farmers can enrich the soil of their fields. And by paying farmers to sequester even more carbon, some companies hope to offset their own carbon emissions.

The Utah State University Bioinformatics Facility recently hosted two graduate students funded by prestigious scholarships. Simardeep Kaur came to USU on a Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Fellowship, while Tamil Selvan received funding from the Indian Council of...

USU Plant Science Ph.D. student, Noah Lanagenfeld, honored with the American Society for Horticultural Science Graduate Student Scholarship Award.

Krishna Borhara came to Utah State University with a master’s in geology and the expectation that she’d be earning a doctorate in the same field. Now she is preparing to graduate with a Ph.D. in climate science.

This summer, Utah State University's 4-H extension, in collaboration with its sister institution, National Taiwan Chung-Hsing University, embarked on a trailblazing journey. Sponsored by iPACE, the first-ever high school language learning tour in Taiwan w...

On May 20th, a touch of nostalgia blended with anticipation resonated in Taichung as Utah State University (USU) faculty reconnected with Aggie alumni spanning five decades, based across Taiwan. This remarkable gathering not only celebrated the rich histo...

Utah State University (USU) students embarked on an enlightening journey to Taiwan, showcasing their robust curiosity, enthusiasm, and adaptability. They delved into the heart of Taiwan's agriculture and lifestyle, gaining invaluable insights into the pra...

Following a three-year pause attributed to COVID-19, Utah State University (USU) and National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) in Taiwan have rejuvenated their long-standing academic partnership. Marking a significant stride since the 2018 landmark visit by ...

Representatives of Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand, and Utah State University's College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences have signed an agreement to establish academic exchanges and research collaborations between the two institutions.

Though work at Utah State University’s Analytical Laboratories (USUAL) goes on year-round, the arrival of spring means it is soil-testing season. The lab recently updated several of the agricultural tests it offers.

A new study found that the capacity of oceans to absorb carbon dioxide will be severely diminished by the start of the next century, leaving more carbon in the atmosphere and accelerating climate change.

Substantial decreases in precipitation and warmer-than-normal temperatures in Nepal preceded a spring 2021 wildfire season that prompted evacuations, caused deaths, forced school closures, and canceled flights due to fire and widespread heavy smoke.

Jeanette (Jenny) Norton, professor of soil microbiology and ecology in Utah State University’s Department of Plants, Soils and Climate, has been named a fellow of the Soil Science Society of America.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) 47th Climate Diagnostics & Prediction Workshop recently brought national and international scientists and decision-makers to Utah State University’s Logan campus.

Record breaking scorching temperatures affecting Utah into September this year are the undeniable effects of excess atmospheric carbon. Locking carbon into soils is the main driver of a recently announced five-year, $15 million research project.

The American Society of Horticulture Science recognized worldwide as a leading organization for horticulture science and technology, recently honored PSC Assistant Professor Youping Sun with its Early Career Achievement Award.

Utah’s winters are getting warmer according to Utah State University professor Robert Davies who said in a February report that particularly in lower and mid elevations snowpack has declined over the last 40 years.

As Utah’s third driest year in the past 128 years of records persists, Utah State University’s Utah Climate Center continues to provide climate services and drought data to state professionals.

Congrats to Bradley Crookston for receiving a grant of more than $200,000 from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture!

Organized by USU, ROCH is an annual celebration of undergraduate research that features students from Utah State University and the University of Utah, the top two research universities in the state.

In the years since Utah State University and National Chung Hsing University began exploring ways to work together, beginning in 2011 and formalizing an agreement in 2018, faculty and students at the two universities have developed collaborations and frie...

Justin Deakin knew he wanted to pursue a career in the agricultural industry since a young age.

Maple syrup. When you picture the maple trees whose sap creates everyone’s favorite pancake condiment, are box elders the first tree to come to mind? Probably not.

A marker buoy is grounded on the dried-up shore of Echo Reservoir at Echo State Park during a drought on Sept. 16, 2021. A new report led by USU suggests the West's drought appears to be the result of fewer storms and less about patterns that block storms...

USU has long been involved in research growing plants in space labs such as the International Space Station. Recently a Ph.D. student was recognized for her research here on Earth that could help researchers design the ideal conditions for growing plants ...

Attributing any specific instance of pollution to its source with scientific certainty, however, had proven difficult. Now, using the 2020 event as a starting place, an international team of researchers has developed a method for tracking the origins of a...

A new report from an international team of climate scientists suggests day-to-day weather system changes have played a big role in a period of generalized drying in the western United States — and the cause wasn’t an increase in high-pressure areas but ra...

Rakesh Kaundal's Contributions to Bioinformatics Push the Boundaries of Human Knowledge

"These are not Republican issues or Democrat issues, these are human issues and they are certainly Western issues," the governor said while standing in a room full of Utah State University researchers at the Gallivan Center on Tuesday.

Black is leading a team of researchers from USU and Michigan State — each representing the country’s two largest tart cherry producing states — to use the nearly $2 million grant to study more efficient crop management techniques.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently made an official declaration regarding the emergence of a second La Niña winter, meaning widespread cooling in the Pacific Ocean which impacts weather patterns far beyond its shores.

A multidisciplinary team of researchers at Utah State University and Michigan State University have been awarded $1.97 million over 4 years from the United States Department of Agriculture to study more efficient ways of managing this major crop.

Most successful home gardeners begin with a plan. Few, however, go to the lengths of planning that plant science Professor Bruce Bugbee and his wife Diana West commit to each year that transforms part of their yard into a themed garden.

A new irrigation study is underway at the Southern Utah University farm in Cedar City to determine how much water is needed to optimally grow crops. Utah State University Assistant Professor of Agriculture Matt Yost explains early findings in the study.

Matt Yost, Assistant Professor at USU talks about why he became interested in his field of study, how Utah performs with small and large-scale agriculture, what crops are affected with extreme drought and how producers are dealing with it, and more.

The dominant force driving wildfires in California for hundreds of years may no longer be the key factor in the frequency or severity of these blazes.

Youping Sun of the Plants, Soils, and Climate Department, has recently been awarded $500,000 in grant funds for a project dedicated to "Developing a Maple Syrup Industry for the Interior West Through Extension and Research".

A space central to the Department of Plants, Soils and Climate in the Agricultural Sciences building has been named to honor Professor A.A. Heravi, a pioneer of scientific farming in Iran.

Three students working in disciplines within the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences were awarded Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunity Grants (URCO) to support conducting their own research in life, plant and food sciences this summer....

Salinity is a growing critical threat to soils, water quality and food production worldwide. High levels of salts in water and soil interfere with plants’ abilities to take up the nutrients they need, create osmotic shock and ion accumulation in the plant...

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food has awarded Utah State University’s Department of Plants, Soils and Climate a $36,000 grant for work on medusahead and invasive mustard species.

A newly published study finds even small increases in climate warming may result in significant increases in wildfire frequency and severity.

True-blooded Aggies love the spot where the sagebrush grows and they may have reasons to love it even more, say Utah State University undergraduate researchers David Suisse and Kayla Wasden Suisse.

Although Earl Creech grew up on what his father called a “true” family farm — no hired help from outside the family and no one doing an off-farm job for income — he didn’t know until he was in college that being a scientist who helps farmers could be a jo...

Jennifer MacAdam, professor of plant physiology and forage production in Utah State University’s Department of Plants, Soils, and Climate has been named a fellow of the American Society of Agronomy.

Danielle Theimann received a grant for identification of effective cover crop varieties and integrated management practices for weedy and invasive plant suppression in the Western United States.

USU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Department and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) host Utah’s first ever public hemp seminar.

Idowu Atoloye, a student in USU's Department of Plants, Soils and Climate, was awarded the Nelson Yield-Limiting Factors Graduate Student Scholarship by the American Society of Agronomy at its annual conference in November.

Students in Utah State University’s Department of Plants, Soils and Climate (PSC) earned several awards at an international conference hosted by the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), including Alyssa Palmer and Anthony Whaley.

Utah State University Associate Professors Jennifer Reeve and Earl Creech were recently awarded more than $1.9 million by the USDA’S National Institute of Food and Agriculture for their ongoing research on organic dryland wheat.

USU's plant, soils and climate systems student Josh Martin was selected as the August 2019 UServe Utah's Member of the Month.

This summer, Emma Thompson participated in international competition at the 21st World Congress of Soil Science in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. She judged individually and with a team representing the U.S.

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) recently announced that the Foundation for Agronomic Research has awarded nearly $2.7 million in grants to universities, including Utah State University, to conduct field research and demonstration projects.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Senior Scientist Michael McPhaden will give a seminar, “Understanding and Predicting El Niño: Why was the 2015-16 El Niño so Strong?” on Monday, June 10.

Steve Voelker, assistant professor in USU’s Department of Plants, Soils and Climate, is the lead author of a paper published in Scientific Reports (a Nature Research publication) in March.

Scientists at Utah State University are studying cultivation practices to optimize the yield and quality of hemp for botanical medicines.

As weather patterns change causing the need for re-vegetation and livestock producers are looking for ways to provide nutritional forage for their animals, NMSU researchers are searching for forage plants that will adapt to the changing weather patterns....

USU soil science Professor Scott Jones was named a fellow of the Soil Science Society of America during the organization’s annual conference in early January.

Researchers in Utah are working to introduce more fire-resistant plants into western landscapes to reduce the damage.

Researchers from Utah State University and two other institutions recently published a study that uses tree rings to link climate variability to long-term patterns in temperature.

Bruce Bugbee recalls that on July 20, 1969, his mother called him and his friends to come inside because Apollo II astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were about to become the first humans to walk on the moon. It was possibly the only thing that cou...