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Penn State, Pa

Ok so I never thought I would resort to this, but I am the oldest daughter of Kilr (for those of you in the Ohio Valley area). I am currently a junior at Penn State with a major in Environmental Resource Management and a minor in Soil Sciences. This semester I am taking a class in Soil Ecology, and the main grade for the class is a semester long research project on something related to soil ecology.

So that is where I need the help... I need a topic for this project. I figured I grew up around pumpkins, and that you guys are always looking for some real answers, so you should have some ideas. Keep in mind I am only an undergrad, but I do have access to a pretty good lab. Any suggestions would really help out! And maybe Ill even meet some of you at the OVGPG weigh off, if I make it home! Thanks guys

9/9/2007 7:19:15 PM

Western Pa.

I really don't think that Kilr knows very much, but maybe the Welty's, Beachy's, and all you guys North, South, East, and West of us could help!

9/9/2007 8:14:17 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Hmmm. Maybe you could research the difference in soil ecology, between mulched and unmulched soil. Or the difference beween soil under sod/grass and tilled soil.

9/9/2007 9:19:08 PM

Somers, CT

How about organic vs chemical treatemnts to soils, specifically within the GP community. More growers are using organics. Start with soil tests, addition of Humate, Organic matter, organic nutrients and beneficial microbes vs. chemical ferts, insect and fungi control. Use sites like Holland land o giants, soil soup, fertrel, agroK, Tremor, etc. There is plenty to learn and it can be applied to house plants, home gardens and lawncare as well as commercial applications such as garden centers, ball fields and golf courses.

9/9/2007 10:44:44 PM

[email protected]

Let's get started under the wild assumption that the school is offering you a budget & a reasonable space work in.

Here are some relevant current topics that might help:

Determine crop yield improvement using only bacterial &/or mycorrhizal inoculants on soils of varying %/OM. Perhaps use only one or the other discipline to get started.

Cover cropping has been studied ad nauseum but maybe try to determine how long a cover crops nutrient impact is recoverable would be relevant. Be sure to include soil CEC data.

There is a great deal of interest in Aerobic Compost Tea lately. Yet we never see published data to support crop yield impact. Actual check/balanced data would be refreshing & very relevant in today's agri-world.

Naturally we all want you to study the impact these processes would have on Cucurbits. Since our beloved AGs aren't commodity food crops you might do well to stick with Cucumbers, melons, etc to be taken seriously.

9/9/2007 11:34:53 PM

Littleton, Colo

Topic huh?? Oh baby, do I have a topic for you ! Can you help me shrink a mouse??

9/10/2007 12:06:23 AM

how about the presence of earth worms or another soil creature with and without pesticide applications. use a few different products, ones that claim to harm and not harm the creature.
just an idea from a senior majoring in horticulture at University of Wisconson - River Falls. now I need help thinking of different production treatments to give the chrysanthemum crop for Greenhouse Management class!!!

9/10/2007 8:23:52 PM

[email protected]

Brifg,

Time is money. Your project should probably focus on the time it takes to get mums from bench to market. Anything that shortens the process will be a hit.

9/10/2007 11:42:55 PM

Somers, CT

Steve,GP's are used as a crop yeild won't they always get "1"?

9/11/2007 4:20:33 PM

Midwest

The reduction of chemical Nitrogen applications while increasing crop yield is a hot topic nowadays. Several soil scientists are studying natrualy sources of Nitrogen including rain, residuce, organic matter, biology (microbes) etc... The point of this is to improve soil ecology while improving fertility and yields. The hard part is to do this year after year. Several soil labs specialize in this topic. I can think of the ACRES conference and AgriEnergy Resources, Inc. in IL, etc...
http://www.acresusa.com

9/13/2007 9:54:16 AM