Reducing synthetic fertilizer use, pollution, farming costs, while freeing up nitrogen, mark possible benefits of research by Sarah Roley, assistant professor with the School of the Environment.
Researchers analyzed farms that use some form of “sustainable intensification” to grow crops and reduce environmental impacts like pesticide pollution, soil erosion and greenhouse gas emissions.
Developing sustainable strategies to defeat pests that threaten Washington’s fruit crops is Tobin Northfield’s goal as new entomologist at WSU Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center.
His Toyota Prius loaded with tiny wasps, Josh Milnes is about to make life very difficult for an invasive stink bug threatening Washington fruit growers.
Cancer-fighting drugs used on humans help plants fight disease as well. That discovery reveals a mechanism that could help scientists develop new ways for plants to battle infection.
WSU scientists are collecting data and building a precision pollination model and decision-support tool to help growers efficiently pollinate their orchards.
With temperatures shooting up to 110 degrees in parts of Washington state, people are at increased risk of suffering from heatstroke – the most serious of heat-related illnesses.