Research from pod to pod: Harvest time optimization of shatter-resistant pennycress, camelina integration into the corn-soybean rotation, and communicating science via podcast.

Abstract

Corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr) dominate the agricultural landscape in the Upper Midwest, but limits crop production to the summer months. There is a fallow period from late autumn through the spring that is associated with externalities such as nutrient loss and a lack of economically-viable crop production despite useable growing degree days during that period. Thus, pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) and camelina (Camelina sativa L.) are crops of interest for use during the corn-soybean fallow period. While both crops have been researched heavily for the past decade, questions about their production remain unanswered. Thus, the purpose of this dissertation is to further understand how pennycress harvest can be optimized for use within the corn-soybean rotation; observe the agronomic and economic dynamics when camelina is integrated into the corn-soybean rotation as a winter cash crop; further describe the effect of camelina in nutrient loss prevention over the typically-fallow period; and assess the role of camelina in the corn-soybean carbon cycle. All agronomic experiments were carried out over the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons. The pennycress experiment was conducted in Rosemount, MN, USA, while the camelina experiments were conducted in Morris and Rosemount, MN, USA. However, the research process does not end after data collection, analysis, and publication. For many scientists, there is a growing need to communicate findings with the general public rather than just to academic peers and industry and government stakeholders. This dissertation also explores the use of podcasting as a science communication medium though an experiential project, Hooked on Science.