Prospective Students
Are you interested in agronomic research? Join our lab!
Graduate Students:
The MSU Cropping Systems Agronomy lab, under Dr. Maninder Singh, focuses on how agronomic management practices influence crop productivity, profitability, and resiliency in the context of modern farming practices, climatic patterns, and economic conditions. Crops of focus in our “systems” approach includes corn, soybean, wheat, and barley. Examples of management practices studied includes crop rotations, precision planting, planting decisions including variety selection and seeding rates, plant-pathogen interactions, and more. Previous examples of graduate student projects in the lab include mycotoxin management in corn grain and corn silage, variable rate seeding in corn and soybean, management strategies to improve soybean yield and quality, and precision planting in winter wheat.
In addition to research projects, the Cropping Systems Agronomy lab is heavily involved in MSU Extension. The ultimate goal of our extension program is to provide current, unbiased, and scientifically sound agronomic management information to farmers across the state of Michigan and beyond. As a graduate student in our lab, you will have the opportunity to speak to farmers at field days and conferences throughout the year. Past graduate students have had the opportunity to speak at Michigan Agribusiness Association Winter Meetings, MSU Forage Research Field Day, Great Lakes Crop Summit, and more!
Besides working directly with farmers, students also have the opportunity to present their scientific research at conferences around the country. Past students in our lab have spoken at the ASA-CSSA-SSSA annual International Meetings, including bringing home multiple prizes!
Overall, our lab takes a very hands-on approach, allowing graduate students to gain skills and experience in agronomic research techniques. If you are interested in becoming a graduate student in Dr. Singh’s lab, please contact us at msingh@msu.edu.
Undergraduate Students:
Interested in Agronomic Research?
The Cropping Systems Agronomy program at MSU is focused on current and emerging issues in corn, soybean, and wheat-based cropping systems of Michigan with an overall goal to improve the productivity and profitability of these systems. We are looking for one or two students to work full or part time in summer 2021. We are particularly interested in undergraduate students that are contemplating a career or graduate degree in the field of Agronomy or Plant Sciences; however, that will not exclude any qualified candidates from employment. This position can continue into following semesters based on satisfactory performance and interest.
Job Duties:
- Assist with planting and harvesting research trials on corn, soybean, winter wheat and barley
- Sample collection (soil, plant, and gas) and processing
- Data collection (e.g. Stand counts, light interception, crop phenology and physiology, yield components, final yield)
- Learn from ongoing research projects (e.g. corn mycotoxin management, soybean quality, corn/soybean planting times, precision planting in wheat, on-farm variable rate seeding) and potentially lead a small project
- Location: MSU Agronomy Farm in East Lansing, but involves traveling to various field sites
Job requirements:
- Ability to work with minimal supervision
- Attention to detail
- Positive attitude and team player
- Valid and clean driver license
For more information, please email research assistant Patrick Copeland and project Pl Dr. Maninder "Manni" Singh and tell us about yourself and your availability. Please attach a current resume.
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