Graduate Students Win SARE Grants
Southern SARE jump-started the research career of 10 young agricultural scientists with the 2010 Graduate Student grants totaling $93,761. The newest graduate projects vary from evaluating herbal alternatives to antibiotics in dairy cows to improving soil nutrient retention with biochar. The next graduate student CFP will be released March 2011. The 2010 awards are as follows:
- Predictors of short-term nitrogen availability in organic farming systems that utilize warm season cover crops, Suzanne O'Connell at NCSU.
- The black pearl pepper banker plant for biological control of thrips in commercial greenhouses, Sarah Wong at NCSU
- Economic analysis of pasture-based dairy systems for the southeastern U.S., Andrew Biscoglia at University of Georgia
- Managing field borders for weed seed predators, Aaron Fox at NCSU
- Do human-modified landscapes affect solitary bee diversity, foraging and reproduction in northern Florida?, Rosalyn Johnson at University of Florida
- Improving nutrient retention with biochar, Seth Friedman at University of Florida
- Evaluation of herbal remedies as alternatives to antibiotic therapy in dairy cattle, Keena Mullen at NCSU
- Efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi in an integrated pest management plan for cucumber beetles in melons and pumpkins, Mary Rogers at University of Tennessee
- Integrated use of grafting technology to improve disease resistance, yield and fruit quality in organic heirloom tomato production, Charles Barrett at University of Florida
- Enhancing nitrogen and water use efficiency in tomato production by using grafting technique, Desire Djidonou at the University of Florida
