Plant Production and Health
OSU's research in plant production and health is focused on disease and pest management
methods that are geared toward the health and well-being of crops to create healthier
and more sustainable food sources and to improve the economic vitality of producers.
Plant and Soil Sciences
OSU has developed cross-disciplinary teams of researchers and Extension specialists,
such as the Wheat Improvement Team, to focus on incorporating scientific advancements
into products that affect the livelihood of agricultural producers. Examples include
field-based plant breeding programs focused on small grains, turf, forage and biofuel
crops.
Five new wheat varieties were released by OSU in 2020, offering improved yield, disease
resistance, grazing tolerance, insect resistance and improved end-use performance.
Entomology and Plant Pathology
OSU entomologists and plant pathologists work closely with our plant and soil science
experts to study plant diseases caused by pests and other factors.
OSU's Integrated Pest Management Program has had a significant impact on the sorghum
industry since 2014 by addressing key issues related to the sugarcane aphid, such
as screening for effective insecticides and host plant resistance and developing economic
thresholds and rapid scouting tools. Results have saved Oklahoma growers $6.2 to $14.4
million per year in lost grain yield.
Turfgrass Research
The eight bermudagrass varieties developed at OSU have been used in 26 states, including more than 100 golf
courses, 25 professional fields and 25 college/university stadiums. The turfgrass industry contributes over $40 billion per year to the U.S. economy and
over $1 billion per year to the Oklahoma economy.
The latest commercial variety, Tahoma 31, was released in 2017, and with a quickly
expanding market, it has now been produced on 22 sod farms in the U.S., as well as
farms in Japan, New Zealand, Australia, China, Italy, Turkey and Spain.
In other research
As mentioned above, plant research involves a lot of cross-disciplinary collaboration
and many areas of expertise. The Wheat Improvement Team has discovered multiple wheat
genes. Our geneticists focus on science and exploration at the molecular level to
build genetic resources and knowledge that will one day find its way into end-use
products.
Other areas include research on soil, water use, crop management techniques and tools,
nitrogen management, pesticide use and agriculture technology, along with microbiologists
studying plants at the molecular level.