Soybean is a key crop in Kentucky and throughout much of the U-S, producing protein-rich food for humans and animals. Now, Dr. Anuj Chiluwal and four colleagues will use a 600-thousand grant from the U.S. Agriculture Department to study how to improve it. He said while soybean crop yields are up, protein levels are down. His three-year project will study ways to optimize nitrogen management during the crop’s developmental stage – with the help of sensor-equipped drones monitoring growth and health. He said a grad student is already in the field and will soon be joined by another. K-S-U received two other ag research grants worth a total of nearly 700-thousand dollars.
** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, fact-based journalism. Monthly sustaining donors are the top source of funding for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation.
