Overview
The mission of the Department of Agriculture, Landscape, and Environment (formerly Plant and Soil Science) is to expand, integrate, and extend the knowledge of agricultural systems and environmental quality in plant/soil ecosystems affecting the people of Vermont, the region, and the world. The department will provide excellence in education, research, and extension that will foster environmentally, economically, and socially sound practices.
The department offers a Master of Science (M.S.) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Plant and Soil Science. A thesis, based on original research, is required for the M.S. degree, and completion of the requirements normally takes 2.5 years. A dissertation, based on original research, is required for the Ph.D. degree, and completion of the requirements typically takes 3 to 4 years for students that already have an M.S. degree. Students who start with a Batchelor of Science (B.S.) degree usually take 5 years to complete their Ph.D.
The department is comprised of faculty representing the disciplines of agroecology, agronomy, entomology, horticulture, landscape design, plant pathology, and soil science. Research faculty are involved in studying plant, soil or insect interactions within environments managed for food, fiber, waste utilization, or for landscape purposes. The objectives of these studies are: (1) to develop fundamental knowledge of environmental impacts and interactions and (2) to apply knowledge to better manage systems and promote environmental health. Specifically, departmental projects have included:
- Agro-ecological practices in Vermont and international communities
- Analytical procedures for testing soils and environmental samples
- Biological control of insect pests – entomopathogenic fungi
- Compost biology and its effects on vegetable production
- Design and analysis of experiments and surveys
- Development of sustainable apple production systems
- Diversified horticulture which involves the planning, production, handling, and marketing of horticultural crops with emphasis on multiple, diverse crops produced with environmentally and economically sound techniques.
- Ecological landscape design
- Effects of nitrogen (from acid rain) on forest soils and bog ecosystems
- Evaluation and identification of woody and herbaceous landscape plants adapted to environmental conditions in Vermont/New England
- Field and forage crop management and utilization, forage quality, pasture and grazing management, and pest/weed management
- Green stormwater infrastructure for improving water quality
- Integrated pest management (IPM) in greenhouse and field situations
- Interaction between soil manganese oxides and heavy metals
- Invasive earthworm ecology, life history, control and their impacts on the environment
- Nematodes and microarthropods as environmental indicators for terrestrial and wetland soils
- Nutrient dynamics and management in agricultural systems