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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Outdoor classroom
November 17, 2025 | Written by Katie Peikes | Photos by Evan KrapeRetired Extension specialist Gordon Johnson teaches the UD course, Vegetables, Herbs and Natural Plant Products (PLSC 302). It’s one of three courses where Students get hands-on experience growing various crops outside at UD's working farm and greenhouse on campus. The courses solidify what it takes to grow fresh vegetables and where food comes from. -
New parks, better housing and safer streets part of ideas to improve conditions along Delaware’s Route 9 corridor
October 28, 2025 | Written by Johnny Perez-Gonzalez | WHYYThe Route 9 corridor near New Castle has endured decades of flooding, industrial zoning and disinvestment. The University of Delaware Coastal Resilience Design Studio partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on a report, “Neighborhoods of Nice Green Connections Framework”, which highlighted key areas of the corridor to improve. The report proposed projects that could improve the corridor’s connectivity, recreation and safety. -
Fall harvest
October 20, 2025 | Written by Molly Schafer | Photos by courtesy of Tim FilaskyMeet the Blue Hen alumni behind Filasky's Produce and Farm Market. Investing in agritourism, especially autumn events including pumpkin patches, hayrides and inflatables, helped this small family farm succeed.
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