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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Providing real-time weather information for growers
Jeff Andresen, a professor in the Michigan State University Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Sciences and the state climatologist for Michigan, examines weather and its effect on agriculture.
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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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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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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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Boosting cold tolerance in fruit crops
MSU scientist Guo-Qing Song is working to uncover the molecular basis for cold tolerance in a multitude of agriculturally relevant fruit crops.
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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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Fighting climate change with forest management
Lauren Cooper leads the Forest Carbon and Climate Program at MSU, which trains professionals in forestry as a way mitigate environmental damage.
food security
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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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Taking MSU breeding worldwide
Cholani Weebadde, Michigan State University’s plant breeder for international programs, works to take MSU's agriculture research to a global audience
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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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Moving MSU dry bean breeding forward
Francisco Gomez is a new researcher in MSU's dry bean breeding and genetics program
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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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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
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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Managing disease for better growth, storage and processing of sugar beets and potatoes
Jaime Willbur, assistant professor in the Michigan State University Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, analyzes the impact of pathogens to prolong the health of key Michigan crops.
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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.
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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.
human health
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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
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Developing treatment for Alzheimer’s using plant products
MSU Horticulture Professor Muraleedharan Nair is researching ways to slow the development of Alzheimer's
hunger
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Delivering practical education globally to areas of greatest need
MSU researchers Julia Bello-Bravo and Barry Pittendrigh are delivering life-improving knowledge to low-literate learners in developing countries through animations via a program called Scientific Animations Without Borders.
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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.
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.
water
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MSU researcher finds new ways to support global crop production
Ajit Srivastava develops solar technologies for drip irrigation systems and tractors powered by solar energy to help smallholder farmers in Burkina Faso increase crop production.
