Protecting turfgrass from fungal foes
UD researchers report new understandings in how microbes protect plants
Community conservation
Alumnus Brian Griffiths supports Indigenous Peruvian Amazon community goals
Helping gardens and interns grow
UD Botanic Gardens' Andrew Adams: Curator of plants and students
Outdoor classroom
Vegetable science classes give students hands-on experience in growing their own food
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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Reflections of the past
March 13, 2026 | Written by Katie Peikes | Photos by Kate Pfister and Jackson FoxUniversity of Delaware students honored Marian Coffin’s legacy at the Philadelphia Flower Show. The UD Philadelphia Flower Show Club showcased its exhibit, “Reflections of the Past” at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from Feb. 28 through March 8. Coffin was a landscape visionary and pioneer who lived from 1876-1957 and broke through what was then a male-dominated field. The UD students took home a silver medal for their exhibit. -
Early Bloomer
March 10, 2026 | Written by Molly Schafer | Photos by Katie Young and Molly Schafer and courtesy of Joseph RomanoHonors plant science major Joseph Romano takes full advantage of UD’s undergraduate research opportunities. Romano studies the interaction between the fungus-like pathogen Pythium and maize plants with Qi Mu, assistant professor of molecular plant breeding and genomics. Romano joined Mu's lab during his first semester at UD. -
From Living Lab to safer streets
February 24, 2026 | Written by Sophonie Milord | Photos courtesy of the Institute for Public AdministrationUniversity of Delaware’s Living Lab Research Group leads pop-up demonstrations in Wilmington and Middletown that work to improve pedestrian safety. Living Lab, which is funded by DelDOT, uses temporary pop-up demonstrations that help Delaware communities test pedestrian safety improvements, placemaking initiatives, and built-environment changes before committing to permanent installation. Local governments, schools, community-based organizations, and others collaborate on this.
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