Research

Black walnuts on a tree limb.

March 4, 2025

MU Center for Agroforestry patents first black walnut cultivar, marking a milestone for Missouri’s tree nut industry

After a quarter of a century of development, the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry made a significant step toward a long-term goal of furthering the black walnut industry in Missouri with a recent patent for its first black walnut cultivar — The UMCA® “Hickman” Walnut.

Feb. 13, 2025

Discovering a clue to what causes reproductive complications

By studying how female eggs repair — or sometimes fail to repair — DNA damage, CAFNR researchers hope to improve reproductive health.
A person stands with a tomato plant in a greenouse

Feb. 13, 2025

Boosting a plant’s protective forces

By discovering how plants defend themselves from pests, Mizzou researchers aim to help farmers grow resilient crops.
Soybean plants grow in a field

Feb. 11, 2025

CAFNR researchers develop new genetic defense against costly soybean pest

Soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) cost American farmers an estimated $2 billion in yield losses each year. Since the pest’s discovery in 1954, plant scientists have worked to combat its destructive impact. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri are on the verge of a breakthrough in SCN resistance technology.
Two people pose for a photo.

Feb. 5, 2025

A protein at the heart of heart disease

Mizzou researchers discover the structure of a protein that could lead to more targeted heart disease treatments.
Gurbir Singh

Feb. 5, 2025

Plant Sciences and Technology faculty member recognized for early career contributions by Universities Council on Water Resources

Gurbir Singh, assistant professor and state Extension specialist in soil science, agroecology and landscape management, was recently named as the recipient of the 2025 Early Career Award for Extension, Outreach and Engagement by the Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR). Gurbir Singh The UCOWR Early Career Award for Extension, Outreach, Engagement recognizes outstanding early contributions through extension, outreach and engagement activities related to water. Awardees have a significant record of accomplishment in these areas and show promise of continued professional growth and recognition. Singh will be recognized at an awards luncheon during the UCOWR annual conference in June.
fabric in a yellow dye bath

Jan. 31, 2025

CAFNR plant scientist’s curiosity sparks global collaboration for sustainable fashion

Jaime Barros-Rios joins forces with marine biologist, fashion innovator to develop plant-based textile dyes, aiming to improve sustainability, working conditions worldwide.
A collage of photos from the 2024 Agroforestry symposium

Jan. 16, 2025

Center for Agroforestry to host 16th Annual Symposium

The University of Missouri’s Center for Agroforestry is holding its 16th  Agroforestry Symposium: Working Lands for Restoration and Harvest on Jan. 30 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the center for Missouri Studies in Columbia, Mo.
Silhouette of Electrical worker climbs a pole and uses a cable car to maintain a high voltage line system, Shadow of Electrician lineman repairman worker at climbing work on electric post

Jan. 7, 2025

DASS faculty launch fellowship program to grow public utility policy scholars

Division of Applied Social Sciences faculty members Adrienne Ohler and Michael Sykuta are leveraging a $250,000 grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to create a fellowship program to connect early-career energy economics researchers with energy industry partners while fostering more academics in the public utility policy analysis space.
corn

Dec. 11, 2024

Farmers gain financial insights through innovative database, personalized education

For more than a decade, Division of Applied Social Sciences faculty Jon Simonsen and Bruce Fowler have been working to create a robust financial database tool for farmers, while also helping producers hone their own financial skills.