Fighting Fusarium on multiple fronts
Fusarium head blight (FHB) has grown over the past 20 years into one of the world’s most devastating diseases of wheat and other small grains, such as barley, oats, and triticale. Read about how plant breeders are fighting back against FHB through a combination of advanced technology and genetic studies and by searching for novel sources of FHB resistance.
Converging grape varieties could mean a less diverse future for wine
Viticulturalists seek to manage changing environmental conditions and global taste
Climate change is disrupting the delicate environmental conditions that wine grapes depend on, leaving vineyards vulnerable to heat, drought, frost, and extreme weather. To adapt, viticulturalists are experimenting with long-term solutions like rootstock–scion pairings and short-term strategies such as canopy management, irrigation, and drought-resistant plant materials. However, economic pressures are driving many growers toward a narrow set of popular grape varieties, threatening regional diversity and raising concerns about the long-term resilience and identity of global wine production.
Featured articles
Joining the conversation on ‘gold standard’ science
Societies seeking members help provide feedback to the administration
The White House issued an executive order in May titled “Restoring Gold Standard Science,” aiming to rebuild trust in scientific integrity after claims of prior misinformation on COVID-19, whale populations, and climate change. The order emphasizes transparency, objectivity, and clear communication of scientific data. In response, the scientific community has engaged by offering dialogue. To that end, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA are seeking members to join a working group to put together feedback to share with the administration and to engage in the big picture conversation about “gold standard” science.
Rooted in resilience: regenerative agriculture and the future of food systems
Regenerative agriculture (RA) is an ecological approach to farming that goes beyond sustainability by actively restoring soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem services while improving resilience to climate change. Instead of relying on a fixed set of techniques, RA emphasizes adaptable practices such as no-till farming, cover cropping, diversified rotations, perennial crops, organic inputs, and livestock integration to rebuild soil organic carbon and enhance system stability. For researchers, practitioners, and policymakers alike, RA opens a space where agronomic science, ecological insight, and farmer experience can co-create pathways toward a more resilient, equitable, and climate-positive food system.
Recent articles
Recent articles
Teacher conferences: A pathway to fill the soil, agronomy, and crop science career pipeline
The K-12 Committee of SSSA engaged educators at the 2025 National Science Teaching Association Conference in Philadelphia through interactive workshops and hands-on booth demonstrations, highlighting the importance of soil, agronomy, and crop science in education. Their workshop connected soil science to the four pillars of sustainability—environmental, economic, social, and cultural—while providing teachers with free lesson plans and practical classroom resources. By reaching roughly 750 teachers and education leaders, the event strengthened efforts to inspire the next generation of soil and crop scientists.
Science explained
One of the great features of our new site is our "Science Explained" section where we bridge the gap between our sciences and society, explaining key concepts and research in language that is easy to understand by all, including those without formal scientific training. Visit us each week as we continue to add more sections and content.
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