The Plant and Soil Science research program is committed to providing the highest standard of excellence in research on current and emerging issues. Our faculty feature expertise in biotechnology, crop science, soil science, horticulture, turf science, crop protection, and cotton fiber science. The department’s research is focused around the themes of biotechnology, environmental stewardship, and sustainable production systems. Accomplishments/impacts made possible by funding from the Legislative Appropriations Request include:
Environmentally-Friendly Production Systems. Developed an integrated cropping and animal production system to replace a cotton monoculture that can reduce annual water withdrawal from the Ogallala Aquifer by a minimum of 23%. This would reduce production costs by $18 million and reduce use of nitrogen fertilizer by 40%. This can reduce ozone depletion while reducing accumulation of greenhouse gases responsible for climate change. Adoption of this technology across the Texas High Plains could generate an additional $3 billion of farm income.
Genetic Modification. Identified simply inherited genes that reduce linters on cottonseed that improves lint quality and increases the oil content of the cottonseed from 17.6% to 19.5%. Incorporation of these genes into Texas cotton varieties, while simultaneously adopting mechanical and polymer delinting technologies, would save cotton growers an estimated $2.10 per acre ($12.2 million annually) in seeding costs, while reducing dependence on dilute sulfuric acid delinting. A patent is being filed on this trait.
Water Conserving Landscapes. Helped create Turffalo-Buffalograss, Shadow Turf-Zoysiagrass and the Red Raider Native Wildflower Collection that have been distributed statewide for use in water conserving landscapes. The combination of drought tolerant turfgrasses, native ornamentals and optimized water management has the potential to reduce urban water use by 30%. This will create significant savings for individual citizens while reducing the cost of water infrastructure enhancement by municipalities by several billion dollars.
New Species Commercialization. A new variety of castor called Brigham will be released in 2009, with a 10 fold reduction in ricin concentration. This will allow the production and processing of castor across Texas for use as a high value industrial oil and biodiesel feedstock with minimal concern about potential toxins associated with castor. In addition, five new strains of winter safflower will be increased this year in commercial grower tests.
Nanosilicate Mitigation of Toxins. Nanosilicates (non-Carbon based) have been synthesized to sorb ricin (weapon of mass destruction) and aflatoxin (food and feed contaminante). Knowledge of nanosilicate surface area, charge density, pH, and adsorption will contribute to an understanding of toxin-substrate interaction, providing enhanced mitigation of structures and food supplies contaminated by toxins.
Conserving Water Resources. A new method, based on satellite observations, is being used to calculate the amount of water used by crops in the Texas High Plains. The method can be adapted to provide real-time irrigation recommendations on a field-by-field basis to farmers. The method could reduce the total amount of water applied to a typical irrigated field by around 2 inches (50 mm) per growing season. Use of this method across the southern High Plains could save over 350,000 acre-feet of Ogallala Aquifer water each year.