Alfalfa expert Charlie Brummer says it's time to "think about redesigning the alfalfa plant from first principles," after 40 years of frustrated efforts to increase yield. He made the remarks at a recent meeting of the North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference. Students also presented their research, including trials to grow the crop with less water.
Alfalfa offers a drought-resilient, high-protein crop for both livestock and human use. UC Davis researchers are exploring ways to improve yield, protein extraction, and resilience while testing almond shells as a soil amendment to enhance water infiltration.
UC Davis researchers are exploring how byproducts from anaerobic digesters, rich in nitrogen, can serve as fertilizers for wheat and triticale. Early results show promise for forage crops, potentially reducing chemical fertilizer use and costs.
Storing fresh produce correctly can save you money and time by keeping your tomatoes, grapes, broccoli and other fresh fruits and vegetables in tip-top condition for as long as possible. UC Davis’ Produce Heroes game teaches proper produce storage to reduce food waste and climate impact. Learn fridge vs. countertop tips through a fun, educational cornhole game.
UC Davis plant scientist Grey Monroe won a $1M NSF CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation to study how plants protect key genes from harmful mutations. His work could boost gene editing and crop resilience and involve underrepresented high school students.
Ana Zepeda won a $7,300 grant to help women in Mérida, Mexico, plant a community garden that boosts child nutrition and school attendance while building resilience to disasters and advancing global sustainability goals.
Isha Poudel, a UC Davis master's student in international agricultural development, has received an American Association of University Women fellowship. Her research focuses on gender equity and disaster resiliency in food systems.
UC Davis master's student Isha Poudel has been named a 2023 Future Leaders Forum fellow. She aims to empower women farmers in Nepal and address climate change impacts on vulnerable populations through agricultural technology and gender equity.
UC Davis doctoral student Matt Davis has been awarded a three-year Rockey Fellowship to research orchard crop genomics, focusing on salt tolerance in pistachios and walnut tissue culture, with support from FFAR and the California Pistachio Research Board.
Three UC Davis graduate students in the Department of Plant Sciences are participating in the Launching Tomorrow’s Leaders program. Through coaching and hands-on learning, they will gain professional skills in leadership, communication, and collaboration.
