Crop & Soil Science Fall 2024 Seminar Series
Join us for the Fall 2024 Seminar Series at 4pm on Mondays. The seminar series schedule is posted below for upcoming seminars. Seminars will be held in ALS 4000 with a Zoom option, you will receive a Zoom link once you have registered to attend. Please register in advance to attend the seminar.
Recorded Seminar presentations will be posted on this page as they become available. Click on the pictures below to access the seminar recordings.
October 7, 2024
Characterization of Russet Potato Microbiomes - Holly Golightly, Crop Science MS student - OSU
Bio: Holly is an MS student in the OSU Crop Science program, with a focus in plant breeding and genetics. She completed her undergraduate studies at OSU in crop and soil science and sustainability. Her thesis project centers around how potato plant genetics and the potato microbiome can influence resistance to corky ringspot disease, which is caused by tobacco rattle virus (TRV) vectored by stubby root nematodes (SRNs).
October 14, 2024
Soil carbon assessment in agroecosystems - Dr. Alfred Hartemink, Professor of Soil Science - University of Wisconsin-Madison
Bio: Dr. Alfred Hartemink is Professor of Soil Science at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He has a MS and PhD degree in soil fertility and pedology from Wageningen University in the Netherlands and Reading University in the UK. At UW Madison, he teaches Pedology and Introduction Soil Science. His research focusses on digital soil morphometrics, soil mapping, and soil carbon in relation to real-world problems. He has developed the digital soil morphometrics discipline which transforms the way soil profiles are being studied and sampled. Prior to his current position, he was 12 years senior researcher at ISRIC–World Soil Information in the Netherlands, and coordinator of the GlobalSoilMap project. He has worked for 12 years as soil fertility expert and soil surveyor in Tanzania, DR Congo, Indonesia, Kenya, Australia and Papua New Guinea, and for shorter periods in several other countries. Alfred is SSSA Fellow, recipient of the SSSA Presidential Award, and an Honorary Member of the International Union of Soil Science (IUSS) and Dutch Society of Soil Science (NBV).
October 21, 2024
Advancing Infrastructure Resilience through Geochemical Simulations of Stabilized Soils - Dr. Pavan Akula, Assistant Professor, Civil and Construction Engineering - OSU
Bio: Dr. Pavan Akula is an Assistant Professor at Oregon State University, USA. His research focuses on developing advanced computational and experimental techniques for evaluating infrastructure materials. He received his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University in May 2020 and his Master’s in Civil Engineering from the National University of Singapore in December 2012. Prior to his Ph.D., he worked as a Geotechnical Engineer for AECOM. He is the committee communication coordinator and an active member of the Stabilization of Geomaterials and Recycled Materials at Transportation Research Board.
October 28, 2024
Establishing Strategic Weed Research and Educational Programs at Oregon State University - Dr. Victor Ribeiro, Assistant Professor and Extension Weed Specialist - OSU
Bio: Victor Ribeiro is an Assistant Professor and Extension Weed Specialist in the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University. He earned his PhD in Crop Science from Oregon State University and gained experience as a research scholar in Weed Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison prior to his doctoral studies. Victor's research interests include herbicide resistance in weeds, herbicide fate in the environment and non-target impacts, weed biology and ecology, and integrated weed management.
November 4, 2024
Redox Heterogeneity and Carbon Chemistry in Rhizosphere Soil - Dr. Jared Wilmoth, Assistant Professor - University of Maryland
Bio: Dr. Jared Wilmoth is an assistant professor at the University of Maryland, College Park, in the dept of Environmental Science and Technology (ENST). He broadly studies soil chemistry, including biogeochemistry and redox processes in soils, with emphasis on agricultural and wetland soils. Dr. Wilmoth leads the Soil Chemical Interfaces group in ENST. A current focus of the lab group is on redox dynamics and C transformations in soils under climate change in the US Mid-Atlantic. Before starting at UMD in 2020, Dr. Wilmoth worked as a postdoctoral soil scientist at Princeton University with the Carbon Mitigation Initiative and before that at Oak Ridge National Lab working on soil biogeochemistry and microfluidics. He received his PhD from the University of Georgia, Athens, in 2016.
November 18, 2024
Dr. Lauren Gwin, Director - Center for Small Farms and Community Food Systems, Oregon State University
November 25, 2024
Alhanouf Alzahrani - Crop Science MS student - Oregon State University
December 2, 2024
Dr. Islam Hafez, Assistant Professor, Wood Science - Oregon State University
April 1, 2024
How international experiences contribute to a role in IPM Education - Thomas Jima, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Educator at the Oregon IPM Center
Bio: In 2023, Thomas A. Jima joined Oregon State University – Oregon IPM Center as an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Educator. Thomas holds an M.S. in Plant Biology specializing in Plant Pathology and M.S. in Entomology, with a B.S. in Plant Sciences. Thomas has over 10+ years of international experience as a specialist advisor focused on agricultural development, research, project management, capacity building, and clientele management with an emphasis on Plant Protection and IPM. Thomas enjoys learning new things, seeking new opportunities, and becoming proficient at his job. Thomas works independently but gets motivated by teamwork. In his free time, Thomas enjoys being outdoors with his kids hiking and playing sports.
April 8, 2024
High-throughput plant phenotyping technologies towards improving crop breeding efficiency - Dr. Jing Zhou, Assistant Professor of Precision Agriculture - OSU
Bio: Jing is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Science at the Oregon State University. Jing earned his Ph.D. degree in Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Jing worked as a postdoctoral research associate in the Digital Agriculture Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Jing’s research focuses on providing solutions for forming a sustainable food and agricultural system with emerging technological and computational resources.
April 15, 2024
EPSPS Copy Number Variation is Correlated with Glyphosate Resistance in an Italian Ryegrass Population - Victor Ribeiro, Crop Science PhD student - OSU
Bio: Victor's early passion for weed research led him to join Oregon State University for a Doctoral Degree in Weed Science. Currently, Victor is a Ph.D. candidate in the Crop Science graduate program under Drs. Carol Mallory-Smith and Judit Barroso, and his research is focused on herbicide resistance in downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) in wheat production systems in Eastern Oregon. Victor's interests in Weed Science are very broad, ranging from applied weed research, where he is interested in understanding growers’ practices and factors affecting their decisions, to basic research including weed biology and ecology and, molecular mechanisms of herbicide resistance in weeds.
April 15, 2024
Integrating unmanned aerial system (UAS) imagery with ground-based spot spray application technology - Dr. Pete Berry, Assistant Professor of Weed Science - OSU
Bio: Pete's journey has come full circle, starting with the completion of his PhD at Oregon State University under Dr. Carol Malloy-Smith. He then ventured to Central Illinois, where he worked for Syngenta as a field scientist. In the fall of 2022 Pete returned to OSU as an assistant professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Science. Pete's program focuses on integrating GIS technologies into weed science. His current projects span mapping resistant weed populations across the PNW, quantifying weed populations using drone imagery, employing image classification for weed recognition in Oregon cropping systems, investigating spectral variation among weeds and crops and utilizing spot spray technology.
April 22, 2024
My journey as a seed scientist and other tales - Dr. Thomas Chastain, Department Head and Professor of Seed Crop Physiology and Ecology - OSU
Bio: Thomas Chastain is Department Head and Professor of Seed Crop Physiology and Ecology in the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University. He earned a B.A. in Biological Sciences from California State University, Chico, and M.S. and Ph.D. in Crop Science from OSU. Dr. Chastain’s research and teaching efforts over the past 35 years at OSU have focused on the physiology, ecology, and management of seed crops.
April 29, 2024
Investigations into the Influence of Essential Oils on the Inhibition of Seed Germination Rate, Seedling Height, and Radical Length in Barley and Wheat - Luluh Aljayan, Crop Science MS student - OSU
Bio: Luluh is a masters student in crop science with a background in public health. She is passionate about combining sustainable farming and health to find natural solutions for agricultural problems. She is especially interested in how plants and essential oils can help crops grow better and fight pests in a way that's good for the environment and our health.
April 29, 2024
Toxicity of essential oils to the pests Arion circumscriptus (Gastropoda) in laboratory and greenhouse trials - Fares Alzahrani, Crop Science PhD student - OSU
Bio: Fares Alzahrani is from Saudi Arabia, with an undergraduate degree in zoology and a Master’s in Crop Science with an entomology focus from Oregon State University, obtained in 2019. This spring, he is completing his Ph.D. in the same field, guided by Dr. Rory McDonnell. His research targets the control of slugs and moth pests with essential oils, aiming to offer sustainable pest management solutions.
May 6, 2024
The Impact of Pacific Northwest Soil Properties on N Mineralization of Dairy Manure - Ryan Auld, Soil Science MS student - OSU
Bio: Ryan is a graduate student working towards a master’s degree in Soil Science. After completing an undergraduate thesis focused on in-situ nitrate monitoring, Ryan knew he wanted to focus on nitrogen in his academic career. As a graduate student, Ryan has focused on extension research, including his thesis which investigates the relationship between soil properties and nitrogen mineralization of dairy manure in the Pacific Northwest. Outside of the nitrogen cycle, Ryan is also very passionate about laboratory analyses and loves learning new techniques he can apply to his research. After earning his master’s degree, Ryan hopes to continue onto a Ph.D. program in Soil Science with the eventual goal of becoming a professor.
May 6, 2024
Do soil properties control N-cycling in forest stands of the Pacific Northwest? - Dandan Zhang, Soil Science PhD student - OSU
Bio: Dandan’s interests in soil microbiology led her to join Oregon State University for a Doctoral Degree in Soil Science. Dandan used to be a Ph.D. candidate in the Soil Science graduate program under Dr. David Myrold and is currently under Dr. Markus Kleber. Her research is focused on protease activity in soil under N-fixing tree species vs non-N-fixing tree species in forest ecosystems. She also is interested in metagenomic sequencing and data analysis.
May 13, 2024
Ammonia Volatilization Potential from Surface-applied Anaerobically Digested Dairy Manure - Corinne Butler, Soil Science MS student - OSU
Bio: Corinne’s love for soil was discovered during her undergraduate career at UC Davis. This led her to pursue her master’s degree at Oregon State University. Corinne is currently working with Dr. Amber Moore in the Soil Science graduate program. Her research is focused on ammonia volatilization from surface-applied anaerobically digested dairy manure in a lab setting. Corinne has many interests in Soil Science and Agronomy, including soil fertility, nutrient management, crop production, and applied agricultural research that will directly help growers in real-time.
May 13, 2024
Susceptibility of Endemic Snails Vespericola columbianus and Ancotrema sportella to Parasitic Nematode Phasmarhabditis californica - Indira Kulkarni, Crop Science MS student - OSU
Bio: Indira is a Crop Science Master’s student studying the non-target effects of novel biological control on endemic terrestrial gastropods in the Pacific Northwest with Prof. Rory McDonnell. She is originally from Wappingers Falls, NY and attended the University of Vermont for her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience. She became interested both in ecology and conservation when she moved out to Oregon and led a crew for the Northwest Youth Conservation Corps, working and living outside. She decided to return to graduate school to pursue her interests in gastropod and insect species preservation and has enjoyed learning about the many facets of this field since diving in.
November 6, 2023
Introgression and marker-assisted mapping for Columbia root-knot nematode (CRKN) resistance in potato - Shengwei Hu, Crop Science PhD Student
November 13, 2023
Improving the toolbox for integrated management of field bindweed - Jessica Green, Crop Science PhD Student
November 20, 2023
Runoff, rangelands, & ruminants: quantifiying the water quality impacts of agricultural manure application in Oregon - Pierce McClendon, Water Resources Master's student
November 27, 2023
Dr. Rob Wiedenmann
April 24, 2023
Drought and Heat Pressures in Oregon Agriculture- A Statewide Needs Assessment - Berit Dinsdale, Postdoctoral Scholar, OSU
May 8, 2023
Areej Abdullah Alzarqaa - Crop Science PhD Student
May 15, 2023
What I did on my summer vacations – for 40 years - Dr. Bob Zemetra, Professor Wheat Breeding and Genetics OSU
May 22, 2023
Potato dihaploids: pre-breeding for diploid hybrid - Hemant Kardile, Crop Science PhD Student
June 5, 2023
Calcium source and placement strategies for addressing soil acidity in no-till wheat - Sahalie Ellickson, Soil Science MS Student
Bio: Sahalie Ellickson is a current masters student in soil science with advisor Dr. Amber Moore and this is her third term in the program. She is a native Oregonian and completed her B.S. here at Oregon State in Environmental Sciences in 2021 with a focus on agriculture. In her undergrad she worked with the wheat research and breeding program also here at OSU which has helped support and direct her towards the field topics of soil fertility and agronomy.
June 5, 2023
Alfalfa Fertility Survey of the Pacific Northwest - Casey Messman, Soil Science MS Student
Bio: Casey was born and raised in Eugene Oregon. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Science at Oregon State University. He has 5 years’ worth of agricultural experience working with a wide variety of crops such as hops, caneberries, organic vegetables, wheat, and alfalfa. For his master’s in soil science, he is conducting an alfalfa fertility survey for the Pacific Northwest.
October 3, 2022
Utilizing GIS Technologies in Weed Science - Dr. Pete Berry, Assistant Professor Weed Science OSU
October 10, 2022
Evaluating Chemical Elicitors of Plant Defense Responses Against Insect Pests of Potato - Alexander Butcher, Crop Science Masters Student
October 10, 2022
Evaluation of Potassium Fertilization on the Yield and Quality of Different Potato Varieties - Jack Pieper, Crop Science MS Student
October 17, 2022
Assessing Soil Quality - Dr. Markus Kleber, Professor Soil Science OSU
October 24, 2022
Field and Lab Analysis in Four Oregon Agricultural Soils: A Summary of Findings from SOIL 512 and 514 - Summer SOIL 512/514 Class Presentation: Heidi Noordijk, Jack Pieper, Casey Messman, Jen Valentine, Amanda Cox and Robert Laurie
October 31, 2022
Parallel Lives: 1) Aphid Taxonomist/Natual Historian and 2) Research Coordinator/Science Advisor to the Northwest Potato Industry - Dr. Andy Jensen, Manager, NW Potato Research Consortium
November 7, 2022
Recombining Genomics and Alleles of Adaptive Traits in Barley - Dr. Eyal Friedman, Plant Sciences Institute Volcani Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), Isreal
November 14, 2022
Engaging and Educating Policy-makers: What I Learned as a SEED Ambassador - Dr. Brigid Meints, Assistant Professor OSU
November 14, 2022
Multiple Utilization of Hemp - Jelena Viskovic, Crop Science PhD Student
November 21, 2022
Improving Management of Clover Seed Weevil in White Clover Seed Production System in Oregon - Grace Tiwari, Crop Science MS Student
November 21, 2022
Evaluating Cover Crop Options in Columbia Basin of Oregon - Samikshya Budhathoki, Soil Science MS Student
November 28, 2022
Essential oils for inhabiting sprouts in stored potatoes - Hanin Almutairi, Crop Science PhD Student
November 28, 2022
Essential oils as inhibitors of potato tuber sprouting in storage - Areej Abdullah Alzarqaa, Crop Science PhD Student
December 5, 2022
How Wild Potato Species Can Change the Strategies in Managing Colorado Potato Beetle - Nima Samadirad, Crop Science PhD Student
December 5, 2022
Soil Disturbance and Microbial Community Shifts in Soils of the Willamette Valley - Cesar Zamora, Soil Science MS Student
September 27, 2021
Understanding the Soil Hydrophysical behavior for Sustainable Expansion of Reuse Water Irrigation in Umatilla Basin - Dr. Amin Nouri, Oregon State University.
October 11, 2021
Policy and Programs to Advance Climate Resilience on Oregon’s Agricultural Lands - Oregon Agriculture & Climate Network
October 18, 2021
A Career in Ag Exports - the view from the PNW - Don Schilling and Jordan Miller, Wesco International
October 25, 2021
Modeling pest distributions, phenology, and population dynamics to safeguard US agricultural lands - Dr. Brittany Barker Presentation Slides
November 8, 2021
Romp of Otters - Potential for "Updated" Heirloom Barley Varieties and Impact on Base Malt and Beer Flavor - Campbell Morrissy, Crop Science PhD Student
November 15, 2021
Slashin' and Thrashin' - Characterizing Breeding Traits for Organic Naked Barley - Cristiana Vallejos, Crop Science MS Student
November 15, 2021
The Foliar Application of Microcutrients for Disease Control of Zymoseptoria Tritici Blotch in Wheat - Jackson Smith, Crop Science MS Student
November 22, 2021
Characterization of changes in soil micro-structure: Agricultural and Environmental Implications - Dr. Maoz Dor, Postdoctoral Fellow Oregon State University
Maoz Dor is a postdoctoral fellow in Dorthe Wildenchild's group at Oregon State University's School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering. He received His MSc and PhD in Soil Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. The focus of Maoz's research is the complex interaction of chemical, physical, and biological mechanisms affecting soil structure formation and deterioration.
November 29, 2021
Estimating Carbon Stocks in Tall Fescue Grass Seed Fields - Dr. Martina Gonzalez Mateu
Seasonal Application Timing Effects on the Plant Availability of Elemental Sulfur-based Fertilizers - Amanda Cox, Crop and Soil Science MS Student
December 6, 2022
Hemp Micropropagation Using Alternate Growing Medium Componets and Comparison of Plant Vigor Outcomes by Genotype in Tissue Culture and in the Greenhouse - Margaret Halstead, Crop Science MS Student
January 24, 2022
The Draft Psuedo-Chromosomal Scale Hop Genome and Applications in Plant Breeding - John Henning, USDA-ARS
Bio: https://www.ars.usda.gov/pacific-west-area/corvallis-or/forage-seed-and
January 31, 2022
The Horticulturalist who killed her plants: Meet the New Head Advisor in Horticulture - Anne Gearhart, Department of Horticulture Head Adviser
February 7, 2022
Investigating plant-pest interactions between potato and Colorado potato beetle in the western United States - Nima Samadirad, Crop Science PhD Student
February 7, 2022
Interavtive effects of fumigation and cover crops on potato production in the Columbia basin - Esther Kim, Soil Science Masters Student
February 14, 2022
Combining Forward and Reverse Genetics Tools for Developing Sustainable Next-Generation Wheat Cultivars - Dr. Vijay Tiwari, University of Maryland Assistant Professor
Bio: https://agnr.umd.edu/about/directory/vijay-tiwari
Seminar recording available to OSU faculty, staff and students only
February 21, 2022`
Determining direct and indirect influences of component variables on crimson clover to breed for higher seed yield - Kimber Hale, Crop Science Masters Student
March 7, 2022
Long-distance Dispersal in Drosophila - Dr. Tim Warren, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology Assistant Professor
April 4, 2022
Goals, strategy, initiatives and educational resources to make progress on diversity, equity and inclusion at OSU - Jeff Kenney, Director, Institutional Education for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at OSU
April 11, 2022
Climate change and Oregon agriculture: the Oregon Climate Action Plan, the Legislature, and OSU Extension
Megan Kemple and Ashley Rood - Oregon Climate & Agriculture Network
Lauren Gwin - Associate Director, Center for Small Farms & Community Food Systems at OSU
Gordon Jones - Assistant Professor (Practice), Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center
April 18, 2022
Potato Powdery Scab: Expanding Genomic Resources for the Pathogen and the Host - Abigail Moore, Crop Science Masters Student
May 2, 2022
Storage and deterioration of hemp seed (Cannabis sativa I.) - Grace Fuchs, Crop Science Masters Student
May 2, 2022
Essential Oils for Sprout Suppression in Stored Potato - Jena Thoma, Crop Science Masters Student
May 9, 2022
Genome Instability of Potato Dihaploids - Hemant Kardile, Crop Science PhD Student
May 9, 2022
Herbicide resistance in downy brome (Bromus tectorum I.) in eastern Oregon - Victor Ribeiro, Crop Science PhD Student
May 16, 2022
The Oregon Seed Certification Service - Andrew Altishin, Seed Certification Manager
May 23, 2022
How can OSU Seed Lab help researchers and the seed industry - Dr. Sabry Elias, Crop and Soil Science Department Professor, OSU
June 6, 2022
A Re-evaluation of Risk Factors for Overwintering of Powdery Mildew Flag Shoots in Hop - Robert Laurie, Crop Science Masters Student
September 28, 2020
Towards the Sustainable Intensification of Agronomic Crops - Daniela Carrijo, Assistant Professor OSU
October 12, 2020
Constraining the Mechanisms that Influence the Retention and Persistence of Fluorinated Organic Chemicals in Soil - Thomas Wanzek, Soil Science PhD Student
October 19, 2020
Lithologic Controls on Soil Carbon Partitioning in the Alaskan Coastal Temperate Rainforest - Julia Fleiner, Soil Science Masters Student
October 26, 2020
Soil and Landscape Evolution in Ilha Comprida (Southeastern Brazil) - Pedro Martinez, Soil Science PhD Student
November 2, 2020
Organic Multi-Use Naked Barley: Breeding for the Future - Brigid Meints, Assistant Professor OSU
November 9, 2020
Leveraging Metagenomics to Understand the Microbial World Underfoot - Xinda Lu
November 16, 2020
Challenges and Opportunities for Pest Management in Organic Vs. Conventional Agriculture: A Thrips Perspective - Anitha Chitturi
November 23, 2020
Developing an Integrated Pest Management Program to Control Lygus bugs in the Lower Columbia Basin - Govinda Shrestha
November 30, 2020
Olive Production in Oregon: Grower Experiences and Evaluation of On-Farm Propagation and Orchard Establishment Practices - Tessa Barker, Crop Science Masters Student
February 28, 2018
Glyphosate and Soil Microbial Communities: Fake News vs. Facts - Dr. Timothy Paulitz, USDA-ARS Wheat Health, Genetics and Quality Research Unit Pullman, WA
Glyphosate (Roundup) is the most widely used herbicide in the world, and is a key component of no-till systems throughout the world, especially in the Pacific Northwest. It is relatively safe, tightly bound to soil particles, is broken down by microbes, and does not have a long residual in the soil. However, there is concern about non-target effects, especially on beneficial bacteria and fungi in the soil.
With a next-generation sequencing approach, Paulitz and colleagues addressed the question: how does glyphosate affect soil microbes in the Pacific Northwest? Bacterial and fungal communities were found to be strongly affected by field location and cropping system, but glyphosate application had only a very minor role in shaping microbial community composition. More bacterial and fungal taxa were stimulated by glyphosate use than were reduced, a response attributed to the presence of dying roots, providing a greenbridge effect.
Dr. Paulitz is a plant pathologist who has spent his career on biological control and and cultural management of soilborne diseases, especially diseases of wheat.
February 23, 2018
The Rodale Center and its Influence on Organic Farming Research - Jeff Moyer, Executive Director of the Rodale Institute
Jeff Moyer is a world renowned authority on organic agriculture. His expertise includes organic crop production systems with a focus on weed management, cover crops, crop rotations, equipment modification and use, and facilities design. Jeff is perhaps most well known for conceptualizing and popularizing the No Till Roller Crimper for use in organic agriculture. In 2011, he wrote Organic No-Till Farming, a publication that has become a resource for farmers throughout the world.
Jeff brings a farmer’s perspective and approach to issues in organic agriculture. He is a past chair of the National Organic Standards Board, a founding board member of Pennsylvania Certified Organic, the Chairman of the Board of Director of The Seed Farm, part of the Green America Non-GMO Working Group, a Project Member of The Noble Foundation’s Soil Renaissance project, and a Board Member of PA Farm Link.
In September 2015, Jeff was appointed as Executive Director of Rodale Institute after spending the last four decades at the Institute, helping countless farmers make the transition from conventional, chemical-based farming to organic methods.
Rodale Institute was founded in 1947 by organic pioneer J.I. Rodale to study the link between healthy soil, healthy food and healthy people. It is committed to groundbreaking research in organic agriculture, advocating for policies that support farmers, and educating people about organic food and farming.