Challenges to scientists advancing tools and best management practices for agricultural producers in the western US include environmental and climate stressors, rapidly evolving pests and pathogens,…

Challenges to scientists advancing tools and best management practices for agricultural producers in the western US include environmental and climate stressors, rapidly evolving pests and pathogens, and water limitations. WSU scientists are developing tools that help crop and animal breeders develop cultivars and livestock that are well adapted to many production environments. These activities include collecting and characterizing plant and animal germplasm for traits such as resistance to heat, drought, pests, and diseases that also have improved nutritional value. Improved crop rootstocks are being used to optimize perennial plants' vigor, pest resistance, or water utilization. WSU scientists are developing phenomic tools to assist evaluation of crop breeding lines and fundamental molecular approaches to identify potential improvements in photosynthetic performance or valuable metabolites like specialty oils. Similarly, WSU animal scientists develop and use both cell culture and genomic techniques in fish and cattle to study muscle development, disease resistance, and fertility for genetic improvement. Reproductive and disease resistance traits are major research emphases for the development of genomic tools that assist in the manipulation of genes controlling traits. Genomic resources for plant and animal improvement, like annotated genome assemblies, genotyping platforms, and integrative bioinformatics tools are incorporated into large public databases for sharing with the public and easy access to breeders. Genetic approaches are also used to improve HO NEY-BEE health utilizing novel germplasm from old world populations in a BEE breeding program. Other approaches include development of fungi and fungal extracts that control parasitic honey-BEE mites, and indoor storage conditions to improve overwintering and reduce mite populations. WSU scientists use integrated approaches to control diseases, weeds, and other pests by understanding the biology, epidemiology, and ecology of these pests along with potential beneficial species. For example, biological diversity in insects is managed by researching the effects of conventional and organic pesticides on pests and beneficial predators. Soil microbial ecology is a major component of the soil health analyses performed across the state. Soil health research also includes the breakdown of conventional and biodegradable plastics in soils. Research by WSU food engineers focuses on developing safe, high-quality, nutritious, and healthy food products with little waste. Optimizing water and other inputs in agricultural systems on a small spatial scale is critical to both economic and environmental sustainability, as is reducing farm labor. WSU scientists are testing and integrating sensors that can monitor crop and soil water, fertility, temperature, crop load, and developing assistive mechanization and automated systems for specialty crops. Horticulturalists are working with engineers and computer scientists to integrate sensor data and m echanization into the diverse architecture of specialty crop vineyards, orchards, and fields. In addition to conservation, water research at WSU focuses on aquatic ecosystem improvement, stormwater management, integrated water management involving agricultural and energy production, drought and flood prevention, and economic and societal outcomes. This research generates information on how policy and technology are developed and applied toward decisions on water allocation to competing uses concerned with agricultural productivity, ecosystem health, and community viability.