SIPS Soil & Crop Sciences Section

Our mission is to generate and communicate knowledge about agroecosystems and their sustainable management in the face of accelerating global change. We achieve this by educating students for stewardship of agro-ecosystems, conducting scientific research on sustainable land management, and using our extension and outreach programs for the benefit of our stakeholders.

Many faculty conduct programs focusing on New York and the northeastern United States region, as well as in many countries around the world having temperate, sub-tropical and tropical environments. Learn more about the history of our section and the vision of our school.

Research Areas in Soil & Crop Sciences

Crop Science

Our research in crop science encompasses development of innovative management practices that maximize yield and quality while minimizing environmental impact, identifying new strategies for effective weed control and making discoveries in fundamental crop physiology.

Environmental information systems

Research on environmental information systems encompasses remote sensing, data inventory and analysis of interactions between agroecosystems and climate at various scales.

Soil science

Our faculty are engaged in research on the many aspects of soil and soil heath from chemistry and biogeochemistry to soil ecology and microbiome.

two women examining a computer image of plant leaves
woman working with remote sensing equipment in the field
hand holding soil sample against a green field

Graduate and undergraduate training

Soil & Crop Sciences offers degrees and training opportunities at all stages of the educational pipeline

three women in front of a scientific poster

Graduate field of soil & crop sciences

Students interested in obtaining an M.S. or Ph.D. degree in the graduate field of soil & crop sciences can select from four concentrations.

  • Agronomy
  • Field crop science
  • Soil science
  • Environmental information systems

Master of Professional Studies

Our MPS programs are one-year, course-based degrees, ideal for individuals interested in in-depth study of the issues and advancements in plant and soil sciences. Choose from specializations in Controlled Environment Agriculture, viticulture, public garden leadership, hemp science, plant protection, geospatial applications and more.

Undergraduate — plant sciences major

Undergraduates majoring in the plant sciences can choose to concentrate in soil science, preparing them for careers in soil health, conservation and agriculture, whether in private industry or public government/university sectors.

Undergraduate — agricultural sciences major

Undergraduate students have the opportunity to major in agricultural sciences, an interdisciplinary program to which Soil and Crop Sciences faculty and staff contribute significant instruction and research opportunities.

Undergraduate — soil science minor

Undergraduate students in diverse majors can add a minor in soil science, and gain in depth knowledge of this discipline.

Undergraduate — crop management minor

Undergraduate students in diverse majors can add a minor in crop management, providing a strong foundation in this area.

Undergraduate research — Microbial Friends & Foes

Microbial Friends & Foes undergraduate research experience is sponsored by the Cornell Institute of Host-Microbe Interactions and Disease. Participants are placed in host labs at Cornell working on many different aspects of microbial interactions with plants and animals.

Undergraduate research — other

The Office of Undergraduate Research provides information about exploring the wealth of research opportunities at Cornell.

The Honors Program in Biological Sciences is designed to offer advanced training in laboratory and field research through the performance of an original research project under the direct guidance of a member of the Cornell faculty.

News from the SIPS Soil & Crop Sciences Section

Learn more about recent developments in our research, outreach, and education

headshot of yun yang

Spotlight

Meet our faculty: Yun Yang
Academic focus: Geospatial science for sustainable water resource management Research summary: I study plant water use from field to global scales using remote sensing techniques to guide irrigation scheduling and monitor plant stress condition...
  • School of Integrative Plant Science
  • Soil and Crop Sciences Section
  • Plants
Researchers in a field

News

  • School of Integrative Plant Science
  • Plant Biology Section
  • Plant Breeding and Genetics Section
multicolored corn-shaped seed pellets in a hand

News

Cornell innovation allows growers to use corn seed planting machines to plant strips of milkweed or wildflowers next to their fields.

  • Cornell AgriTech
  • Department of Entomology
  • School of Integrative Plant Science
Yu Jiang operates a research drone with a graduate student.

News

CALS’ Research and Innovation Office is offering $10,000-$50,000 awards to support proposal development, patent or technology development, commercialization or community uses of AI.
  • Cornell AgriTech
  • Cornell Cooperative Extension
  • Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station
Members of Yu Jiang’s team demonstrate the technology

News

Cornell AgriTech researchers showcased digital agriculture projects during a “Space for Ag Tour” by NASA leaders to better understand the remote sensing needs of specialty crop growers.

  • Cornell AgriTech
  • Natural Resources and the Environment
  • School of Integrative Plant Science