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School of Environment and Natural Resources

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Soil scientists gather in Phoenix to share scientific research

Nov. 30, 2016
Matthew Bright, a PhD candidate with Professor Richard Dick in the School of Environment and Natural Resources was awarded first place in the graduate student poster competition for his poster, “Long-term Crop Productivity, Carbon, and Nutrient Dynamics in a Native Shrub (Guiera senegalensis) Cropping System of the Sahel” in Phoenix for the ASA Semi-Arid Dryland Cropping Systems Community.
Soil science research conducted by faculty, staff and graduate students in the School of Environment and Natural Resources was well represented at the joint meetings of the Soil Science Society of America, the American Society of Agronomists and the Crop Science Society held in Phoenix, AZ. 
 
This year’s gathering was themed "Resilience Emerging from Scarcity and Abundance" and provided a wealth of opportunity for participants to network, hear inspiring speakers, learn about innovative research and participate in technical workshops and professional tours.
 

Presentations with School of Environment and Natural Resources faculty, staff and graduate students included:

 

Poster Recognized

Matthew Bright, a PhD candidate with Professor Richard Dick in the School of Environment and Natural Resources and member of the Soil Microbial Ecology Lab was awarded first place in the graduate student poster competition for his poster, “Long-term Crop Productivity, Carbon, and Nutrient Dynamics in a Native Shrub (Guiera senegalensis) Cropping System of the Sahel” in Phoenix for the ASA Semi-Arid Dryland Cropping Systems Community. 
 
Bright is studying the beneficial effects of two native shrub intercropping systems on millet and peanut production in Senegal, West Africa. Specifically, his research focuses on their ability to improve yields, soil carbon sequestration, and nutrient cycling in addition to their effect on beneficial mycorrhizal fungi that connect from the roots of the shrubs to millet, helping the crop grow. Bright lived in Senegal from January, 2013 to July, 2014. He is also a coach for Ohio State’s Soil Judging Team.