As a Plant and Soil Systems major at LSU, I find soil science to be one of my main agricultural interests. Without high quality soil, our agricultural systems would crumble. As Dr. Rattan Lal of Ohio State University puts it, "there would be no life without soil and no soil without life." Thus, it goes without saying that soil health is an extremely important topic.
After listening to Dr. Lal's talk this week about managing soils of agroecosystems for climate change and food security, I realized just how much we take for granted the dirt below us. This week's discussion just made me even more excited to be a part of UME's biochar experiment at CMREC, Clarksville. Biochar has the capacity to serve as a beneficial soil amendment in the way it can increase fertility, boost levels of valuable microbiota, and even remediate metal-contaminated soils.
This week in Clarksville, I continued to take care of and monitor the growth of the Swiss chard- the leafy green vegetable that will serve as the point of study for the biochar experiment. I can not believe just a few short weeks ago I started these plants from seed and now they are looking as strong as ever. Seeing their growth overtime has been satisfying to witness and I am excited to see how lush they become in the coming weeks.
One tray of the Swiss chard that will be planted in a research field at CMREC, Clarksville for the biochar experiment.
Image Credit: Elizabeth Karides
Also this week, I had the opportunity to work with UME Agent Dave Clement on a basil project he and agricultural technician Sheena O'Donnell have been working on. This project examines different basil varieties to determine which ones are least susceptible to downy mildew: a devastating plant disease that impacts most basil. To help with the project, my job this week was to uproot numerous basil plants that appeared to be weakly growing and replace them with new and stronger plants. Just like any other time I get to work outside, I had a fun time being in the field and getting my hands dirty!
This week, I worked outside with UME Agent Dave Clement to uproot and transplant several basil plants for a project at CMREC, Clarksville.
Image Credit: Elizabeth Karides
Besides the few plants we had to replace, the rest of the two rows of basil plants were growing quite successfully. Additionally, I also got to help set up a drip irrigation system for the plants. Unlike last week's drip irrigation set up with Lisa Kuder, a UME Native Plants and Landscape Specialist, this irrigation system incorporated drip tape.
The irrigation set up for the basil plants included plastic piping in between the rows of basil with drip tape attached to a central connector piece that ran underneath the plastic mulch.
Image Credit: Elizabeth Karides
I've had a great week full of hands-on experience. I have especially loved getting to work with the different irrigation systems and I only feel more prepared heading into next week where I'll be assisting Dr. Lu with the irrigation set up for the biochar experiment. This internship has been a great experience so far and I look forward to the remaining weeks of my summer with UME!
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