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.
As growers face continued reductions in water available to irrigate crops, and while the world needs more food produced and more protein in particular, alfalfa offers an attractive option. It yields remarkedly well under reduced irrigation, and its protein can be consumed by both animals and people.
Anaerobic digesters are commercial facilities that break down food and yard waste to create energy by capturing methane, a potent greenhouse gas. But even this process creates waste of its own. A new study shows some of that secondary waste can be used as fertilizer, potentially saving farmers the cost of chemical fertilizer, a UC Davis scientist explains at a recent field day event.
You come home from the store with a bunch of bananas. Now, which is the better place to store them, on the counter or in the fridge? 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.
Grey Monroe has received a CAREER Award for the Faculty Early Career Development Program from the National Science Foundation. Monroe is an assistant professor in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences.
Ana Zepeda has received a $7,300 grant to help women in southern Mexico plant a community garden. The garden is intended to provide better nutrition for their children and keep them in school.
Isha Poudel has been awarded a fellowship by the American Association of University Women. Poudel is a second-year master’s student in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences majoring in international agricultural development, with a focus on gender equities and disaster resiliency in food systems. She is in Amanda Crump’s research lab group that focuses on agricultural equity and social inclusion.
The AAUW award will support Poudel in her graduate education and further advance her research project in Nepal.
Students learned the value of self-reflection, bold thinking, perseverance and forming relationships in a recent workshop encouraging them to apply to graduate school.
"Science needs you!" was the most important message students heard. But how to get there?
Master’s student Isha Poudel wants to bring agricultural technology to rural communities while empowering women farmers in her homeland of Nepal. Poudel is among 12 young scientists who will get help with her career goals after being named to this year’s Future Leaders Forum by the Association for International Agriculture and Rural Development.
Doctoral student Matt Davis has been accepted into a three-year fellowship program that nurtures young scientists who are addressing unprecedented challenges in American food and agriculture.
