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Washington State University Puyallup Research and Extension Center

WSU scientist’s species discovery helps save colorful peony from ugly disease

Student researcher Andrea Garfinkel chats with a farm worker in a Netherlands peony field.Student researcher Andrea Garfinkel, right, chats with a farm worker in a Netherlands peony field during a 2015 visit. For the past three years, Garfinkel has researched diseases of peonies, discovering multiple new species of the Botrytis pathogen.
A symbol of good fortune and happy marriage, the peony has been a beloved centerpiece of floral arrangements and wedding bouquets for hundreds of years.

Pacific Northwest farmers have found success growing these bountiful blooms for a thriving global market. But they’re held back by a devastating … » More …

Markus Flury wins soil physics medal

Soil scientist Markus Flury takes soil samples at the Hanford nuclear reservation, studying movement of radioactive compounds.Soil scientist Markus Flury takes soil samples at the Hanford nuclear reservation, studying movement of radioactive compounds.

For more than 20 years, Markus Flury has studied how the soil and water under our feet interact, influencing the food we eat and the water we drink.

Now, the Washington State University soil scientist’s achievements have earned him a prestigious accolade from the Soil Science Society of America: The Don and Betty Kirkham Soil Physics Award.

“Soils can protect groundwater from many contaminants, from … » More …

Graduate Student Awarded at Biosolids Meeting

WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center would like to extend congratulations to graduate student Nathan Stacey for his recent award at the annual Northwest Biosolids meeting.

Stacey’s poster for the meeting was voted as the best one among the graduate students in attendance. His poster covered some initial results from using a composted biosolid as a nutrient substitute on a golf course fairway—a project he is working on.

Stacey has been with Puyallup REC since 2011 and is pursuing his Ph.D in Crop and Soil sciences.