Behind the greens
Plant and Soil Sciences’ alumni, faculty and students get to work on the golf course
Protecting turfgrass from fungal foes
UD researchers report new understandings in how microbes protect plants
Community conservation
Alumnus Brian Griffiths supports Indigenous Peruvian Amazon community goals
Helping gardens and interns grow
UD Botanic Gardens' Andrew Adams: Curator of plants and students
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
Innovation at UD: Harsh Bais: youtube.com/watch?v=ZMsIF6rPcek
University of Delaware inventor Harsh Bais is a plant biologist, known for his research developing a beneficial bacterium that can help boost plant defenses, water retention and more. Here, Bais—who was named an Innovation Ambassador at UD earlier this year—shares some of what he’s learned about invention along the way.
Read the UDaily feature.
Latest news
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Lewes' living shoreline
July 15, 2026 | Written by Adam Thomas | Photos by Evan Krape | Video by Jeffrey C. ChaseUniversity of Delaware researchers installed a living shoreline on UD’s Lewes Campus to help infrastructure and ecosystem. These nature-based structures use natural materials like plants, sand, rocks and oyster shells to stabilize shorelines and protect them from erosion. UD’s Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program partnered with the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, the College of Engineering and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary on the project. -
Living shoreline aims to mitigate flooding, erosion in Lewes, Delaware
June 05, 2026 | Written by Zoë Read | WHYY PhiladelphiaAs climate change threatens rising seas and stronger storms, the popular vacation destination of Lewes, Delaware, faces frequent tidal flooding. University of Delaware researchers are working to mitigate flooding and reduce saltmarsh erosion with a new “hybrid” living shoreline. The series of nature-based structures designed to protect coastlines and attract marine life combines materials like native marsh grasses, oyster shells and manmade domes that mimic natural reef systems. -
The U.S. Forest Service wants to move west and close regional offices
May 26, 2026 | Written by Alan Yu | WHYYThe U.S. Forest Service plans to move its headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Salt Lake City, Utah, and will consider closing regional offices around the country, including four in Pennsylvania. Scientists, foresters, and some in the lumber industry are concerned about losing important programs that only the Forest Service can do.
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