Rethinking food systems
Evyn Appel bridges the gap between agriculture, policy and food access
Digital agriculture
Yin Bao focuses his research on creating novel technologies that make people's lives easier
Problems with rocket salad
UD research finds plants more susceptible to bacterial infections in space
DEPARTMENT OF PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCES
We have excellent teaching, research, and outreach programs in the areas of plant biology (cellular, genetics, genomics, microbial, molecular and physiology), agronomy (including pathology, soil management and weed science), horticulture (sustainable landscapes, fruits and vegetables), landscape architecture and environmental soil sciences (biogeochemistry, hydrology and plant-soil interactions). We have a distinguished faculty, known nationally and internationally for their research and outreach, and within UD for their excellence in teaching, advising and mentoring students.
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Featured video
University of Delaware Ph.D. candidate shares her plant science knowledge with Delaware youth: youtube.com/watch?v=IR4xf18Oz0U
Description for featured video
On top of her busy schedule as a University of Delaware Ph.D. candidate, Elizabeth Smith dedicates time to underserved students alongside Wilmington-based organization Four Youth. As part of a science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) educational program, she gives Delaware elementary school kids hands-on exposure to the natural world. Smith encourages other UD students to get out into the local community to share knowledge and inspire the next generation. Learn more about the UD Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.
Latest news
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History Matters: Trailblazer Marian Coffin’s quiet influence on Delaware’s gardens and grounds
June 02, 2025 | Written by Kyle McKinnon | Delaware Public MediaAnna Wik, University of Delaware associate professor of landscape architecture is interviewed by Delaware Public Media on its program "The Green" about Marian Coffin and the impact she had on Delaware. Coffin was one of the first female architects in the U.S. She created the look and feel of UD's campus. Coffin also designed the Mount Cuba Center and the gardens at Winterthur Museum. -
Rethinking food systems
May 21, 2025 | Written by Nya WynnMany students seeking careers in agriculture grew up on or near a farm, but for Evyn Appel, a senior honors sustainable food systems major and the 2025 convocation speaker, an interest in food systems grew while living in Philadelphia. She was surrounded by not only fantastic restaurants and international flavor, but also the food system problems and its lack of access and affordability. She is motivated to find solutions. -
Carbon credit quality
May 20, 2025 | Written by Katie Peikes | Photo by Evan KrapeUniversity of Delaware’s Rodrigo Vargas is among a group of leading forest scientists around the U.S. arguing in a new review that forest carbon market protocols are flawed and don’t ensure that issued carbon credits accurately account for reduced and removed CO2 emissions. The researchers say improvements could boost forest carbon credits’ quality and drive up demand as well as confidence in the market.
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