Plant Science and Technology

Portrait of Dylan Hoyt

Aug. 14, 2025

Q&A with Summer Welcome leader Dylan Hoyt

Dylan Hoyt, a sophomore from Martinsburg, Missouri, majoring in plant sciences, served as a Summer Welcome Leader.

A conceptual graphic showing biochar being added to soil.

Aug. 12, 2025

Biochar improves soil health for cotton production, study confirms

A team of researchers led by the University of Missouri is giving new purpose to an established material — biochar, a charcoal-like substance made from leftover plant waste — and showing how it can address challenges facing today’s cotton growers.

Fengkai Tian flies a drone

Aug. 12, 2025

Drones can more efficiently measure the health of corn plants, study finds

Researchers at the University of Missouri have found a mix of drones and AI can help farmers measure the health of their corn more efficiently.

Aug. 11, 2025

Message from Heike Bücking

Dear Alumni and Friends, Welcome to the Fall semester. I am delighted to share with you some of the remarkable achievements in 2024 from the Division of Plant Science and Technology (DPST). Our faculty and staff continue to provide learning and leadership opportunities for our students in classrooms, research laboratories, field, and international settings. Our mission is to keep students on track towards graduation, and to provide them with high quality education and the foundation for life-long career success. Recent investments into a new teaching space enabled us to equip a new digital teaching lab with computers and software packages…

July 30, 2025

Researchers identify key survival strategy for soybeans during heat and drought

The University of Missouri study reveals that soybeans use a natural targeted cooling mechanism to protect reproduction under tough weather conditions.

Students pose with flowers.

July 24, 2025

Mizzou Student Chapter of the American Institute of Floral Designers Win Awards at AIFD National Symposium

The MU Student American Institute of Floral Designers (SAIFD) Chapter placed 2nd in the nation in the student competition during the American Institute of Floral Designers National Symposium in Palm Springs, July 12-15.

Historic columns in sunlight

July 23, 2025

2025 C-DRIG recipients announced

The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Office of Research offers the CAFNR Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (C-DRIG) of up to $2,000 to support or partially support dissertation research projects proposed by doctoral students in the College. Eligible students will have completed their coursework and have advanced to candidacy or will advance to candidacy within six months of the C-DRIG awards.

Two adults hold two children in a tractor cab.

July 14, 2025

Back to the Farm – Q&A with Drake and Kaylee Minear

Drake Minear (B.S. Agricultural Systems Management '18) and his wife Kaylee (Michael) Minear (B.S. Elementary Education '18) graduated from Mizzou and returned to the farm.

Agriculture Building

July 9, 2025

2025 CAFNR Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (C-DRIG) winners announced

The CAFNR Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (C-DRIG) are offered through the CAFNR Office of Research. The C-DRIG grant supports up to $2,000 or partially support dissertation research projects proposed by doctoral students in the College.

A group of students pose with a plaque.

July 9, 2025

Mizzou Torq’N Tigers find success at the International 1/4 Scale Tractor Design Competition

Torq’N Tigers had two teams competing in the ASABE International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition this summer.