One of the key issues threatening plant production in agriculture and the landscape is plant disease, particularly growing threats from new infectious pathogens. In this journal club we will focus on research papers that describe plant-microbe interactions, with specific reference to plant diseases and their management. Modern ?omic? methods have greatly increased understanding of how pathogens attack plants, how plants defend themselves, and how non-pathogenic microbes play a role in disease defense.

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The growing human population faces a crisis in food production matched by one in environmental degradation. Demands for food, forage, and biofuel crops and for a healthy and sustainable environment will increase, but climate change, loss of productive soils, decreasing availability of arable land and clean water, emerging and resurgent pests and diseases, and environmental pollution threaten our ability to maintain present levels of crop production and environmental quality.

This is an independent study project that allows graduate students to conduct an extensive literature review prior to conducting thesis research. Grading will be based on the quality of the written literature review as evaluated by each student's thesis/dissertation advisor.

Graduate level independent project or research, unrelated to students' thesis or dissertation.

Physical, chemical, and biological factors affecting the fate and transport of inorganic contaminants (including heavy metals) in soil, water and sediment. Sources, chemistry, pedogenic and geochemical behavior of these contaminants and methods used for their analysis. Risk assessment, and remediation technologies, options, and goals. Prerequisites: CHEM 111 & 112, knowledge of college algebra, basic soil science, and transition metal chemistry, or permission of instructor.

The role of mineral elements in the growth of plants; plant response to fertilizers and other soil amendments; soil reaction, mineral deficiencies and toxicities; environmental impact of soil fertility management practices. Prerequisites: STOCKSCH 102 and STOCKSCH 105 (or equivalents), CHEM 110 or 111.

With lab. Effect of environmental factors on soil formation and land use. Relationship between soil morphology, classification, and use interpretations. Application of soils information to on-site sewage disposal, wetland identification, and other environmentally significant problem areas. Prerequisite: introductory course in chemistry, geology, soils, or environmental science; or consent of instructor.

The ecology of plant, microbe, and human interactions in plant diseases, from wilderness to industrial farms. Epidemics, traditional farming, environmental impacts and sustainability issues. Ways in which agriculture, particularly plant production and plant disease management, change ecosystems. Independent project.