MEDIA ADVISORY: Soil Experts to Speak at MU on New Tool that Measures Soil Quality and May Improve Crop Production

October 11th, 2010

WHAT: In the past, scientists had to wait years to discover the impact that agricultural management practices had upon soil. Now, two scientists from the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation in Pulawy, Poland, and the University of Rzeszów in Rzeszów, Poland, have developed a measurement tool that can assess the impact of management practices on soil quality. They will be speaking on the topic at the University of Missouri.

Tony Dexter, professor of soil physics, and Ewa Czyz̊, professor of soil hydrology also are considering undertaking a study on soil quality at Mizzou’s historic Sanborn Field Agricultural Experimentation Station to gain a better understanding of how different agricultural management practices affect soil quality. Knowing the effects of different agricultural management practices is becoming more important as the world’s demand for food grows and more crops are harvested for biofuels.

WHO: Speakers include:

• Tony Dexter, Professor of Soil Physics, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, Pulawy, Poland
• Ewa Czyz̊, Professor of Soil Hydrology, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland

WHERE: Memorial Union, Walt Disney Room (N-208)

WHEN: 3:30 p.m., Oct. 11

NOTE: This event is free and open to the public. A reception with beverages and snacks will be held following the lecture. The event is co-sponsored by the MU Chapter of Sigma Xi.