Amanda Wong and Gail Taylor, in the Department of Plant Sciences, call on scientists to standardize how they study microplastics in soil to clearly understand how they impact plants in real-world agriculture.
UC researchers spent 20 years studying conservation agriculture in California, testing no-till, cover cropping, and residue management. Their findings show long-term benefits for soil health, water retention, and crop resilience, guiding future farming.
Doctoral student Valentina Roel is testing compost-based fertilizers from food and yard waste as eco-friendly nitrogen alternatives. Early results show similar crop yields to synthetic fertilizers, offering climate and soil benefits.
