Plant Health. Healthier Planet.
This series of Futures articles supports the United Nation's 2020 Year of Plant Health. From combating food insecurity to fighting disease and invasive pests, we highlight our research and its impact on plant health here.
climate change
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Unlocking the potential of the plant microbiome
MSU microbial ecologist Ashley Shade is seeking to learn more about how microbes positively affect plant health and adapt to environmental pressures.
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Managing cucurbit diseases with research, outreach
Rebecca Grumet has dedicated her career to assisting specialty crop growers as an expert in reproductive development and disease resistance in cucurbit crops such as cucumbers, melons, squash and watermelons.
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Supporting Michigan’s wine industry in challenging climatic conditions
Despite the wine industry’s blossoming popularity, several factors can limit the success of wine grapes in Michigan’s climate. Paolo Sabbatini studies ways to mitigate damage.
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Changing photosynthesis during drought can increase plant resilience
MSU researcher uses gene to control water loss during drought conditions leading to crops that are more resilient.
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Studying the effects of increasing heat stress on plants
Gregg Howe and Tom Sharkey, University Distinguished Professors, are studying the effects heat has on plant health.
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Promoting sustainability of farming systems using digital technology
Precision agriculture expert Bruno Basso studies the sustainability of row crop production and delivers data to agricultural producers using innovative technologies.
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Understanding how plants metabolize nutrients to improve farming, protect the environment
Hideki Takahashi, an associate professor in the MSU Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, is working to understand the molecular mechanisms plants use to metabolize nutrients.
food security
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Sole tart cherry breeder leads nationwide fruit project
Amy Iezzoni was director of RosBREED, a USDA project focused on developing modern DNA tests and breeding methods to deliver new cultivars in 22 U.S. breeding programs
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Using technology to address global farming needs
David Kramer hopes to use technology to modernize worldwide agriculture for a planet rapidly changing
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Supporting soybean production with new resistant varieties
Michigan State University Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences Professor Dechun Wang is focused on soybean research
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Examining plant genetics with an eye on the future
Addie Thompson is a maize researcher with the Plant Resilience Institute working to predict the way plants interact with their environment
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Combating disease for Michigan’s wheat industry
Eric Olson is a member of the Wheat Breeding and Genetics Program at MSU developing wheat varieties
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Better potatoes are top-of-mind for this researcher
Dave Douches is director of Michigan State University Potato Breeding and Genetics Program.
healthy food
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Investigating insect impacts on berry crops
Rufus Isaacs, professor in the Michigan State University Department of Entomology, protects Michigan berry crops from invasive pests and examines crop pollination.
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Monitoring and managing cucumber downy mildew
Mary Hausbeck, University Distinguished Professor and Extension Specialist in the Michigan State University Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, develops biosurveillance tools to combat an aggressive cucumber pathogen.
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Detecting emerging pesticide resistance in grapes
Timothy Miles, assistant professor and Extension specialist in Michigan State University’s (MSU) Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, researches the most effective management strategies for grape diseases.
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Healthy soil for healthy potatoes
Noah Rosenzweig, assistant professor in the Michigan State University Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences works to reduce disease and enhance soil health for sustainable potato production.
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Michigan State University blueberry breeder awarded USDA grant to improve blueberry and cranberry fruit quality
Patrick Edger, assistant professor in the MSU Department of Horticulture, was awarded a four-year, $1.13 million grant to discover genes associated with superior fruit quality traits in blueberries and cranberries.
human health
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Focusing on food health worldwide
Felicia Wu, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Food Safety, Toxicology, and Risk Assessment, is focused on developing a healthier worldwide population through the foods that we eat.
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Understanding plant immunity to improve human health
MSU Foundation Professor Brad Day studies the mechanisms by which plants fend off pathogens
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Studying what makes plants sick gives insight into animal and human health
Sheng-Yang He is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and an MSU University Distinguished Professor
hunger
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Ensuring access to quality seed, equitable gender practices
MSU researcher Krista Isaacs is examining the access smallholder farmers have to quality seed and whether these needs are factored into variety development.
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Improving soil health key to productivity, sustainability for African farmers
Sieg Snapp and Regis Chikowo, researchers in the MSU Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, are helping farmers improve soil health and sustainability.
msu-doe plant research laboratory
plant health
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Identifying plant health threats and solutions at the epicenter of collaboration
Jan Byrne, plant pathology diagnostician with MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostic Services, identifies potential plant health issues for growers and home owners.
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Vigilance against the invisible: building molecular tools to identify pathogens
Monique Sakalids, assistant professor in the Forestry and Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences departments at MSU, builds molecular tools to help identify exotic and native pathogens that have the potential to cause plant health emergencies.
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