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See how our current work and research is bringing new thinking and new solutions to some of today's biggest challenges.

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Discover Cals

Plants

Growing knowledge, cultivating solutions.

At Cornell CALS, our plant science research digs deep into complex agricultural and environmental challenges, sowing the seeds of a sustainable future.

Plant News

The soft robotic leaf gripper injects leaves with sensors that help it detect and communicate with its environment.

News

Soft robotic gripper injects leaves with precision

Cornell researchers have developed a soft robotic device that gently grips and injects living plant leaves with sensors that help it detect and communicate with its environment. The robot can also inject genetic material into the leaves.

  • Boyce Thompson Institute
  • School of Integrative Plant Science
  • Plants
Scenic view of McGraw Tower

News

Faculty, staff win 2025 SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence

The honor is presented annually, recognizing awardees on campuses across the SUNY system for their commitment to sustaining intellectual vibrancy, advancing the boundaries of knowledge, providing the highest quality of instruction and serving...

  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Neurobiology and Behavior
  • School of Integrative Plant Science
a handful of healthy soil

News

From trash to treasure: Recycling organic waste supports farmers, climate
“We don’t think about waste as a resource, but we should,” added Lori Leonard, professor and chair of global development in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Our landfills are filling up, and nobody wants a new landfill in their...
  • Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station
  • PRO-DAIRY
  • Food Science
Two people gesture to the left while sitting at a table with a paper placard reading "regulatory agencies."

Field Note

Debating dairy sustainability: Bridging the gap between stakeholders
With well-rounded knowledge about whole-farm nutrient management under their belts, students came to class prepared to debate the future of agricultural rules and regulations. Using what they'd learned in ANSCI 4120, they represented the voices...
  • Animal Science
  • Agriculture
  • Climate Change
Pink petunias in bloom during summer.

News

Flowers unfold with surprising precision, despite unruly genes

Flowers grow stems, leaves and petals in a perfect pattern again and again. A new Cornell study shows that even in this precise, patterned formation in plants, gene activity inside individual cells is far more chaotic than it appears.

  • School of Integrative Plant Science
  • Plant Biology Section
  • Plants

Want to study plants?

With a degree in plant science at Cornell CALS you'll produce sustainable solutions to food security, ecosystem health and biodiversity challenges.

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Plant Science Centers & Institutes

Centers and Institutes

Events

ribon wit soil profile and animations

Seminar

Soil Makes Art Alive
Join us for a talk by Adriana Ribon, Ph.D, Professor, Soil Sciences, State University of Goiás (UEG), Palmeiras de Goiás, Brazil. She is the creator of the Fun Soil Profiles. She will talk about how she uses art to communicate the importance of...
  • school of integrative plant science
  • Soil
Mark Bridgen

Workshop

Plant Propagation Workshop Series: January 22 - March 19, 2025
Learn basics of sexual propagation, vegetative propagation, and micropropagation via Zoom Presenter: Dr. Mark Bridgen, Professor of Horticulture, Cornell University Bridgen has taught plant propagation & micropropagation for over 30 years. Dates...
  • Horticulture
  • Plants
Two people pruning pear trees with large pruning shears at the Cornell Orchards

Webinar

Digging Into Pruning and Soil Health
The 2025 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinar Series will provide updates on fruit-related topics and research happening at Cornell University. Hosted by NYSIPM, CCE Harvest NY, CCE LOFP, and CCE ENYCHP. Speakers Mario Miranda Sazo (CCE LOFP) Dr. Debbie...
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • CCE
  • Cornell AgriTech
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