Montse Salmeron

The goal of my research program is to develop an integrated interdisciplinary approach for increasing the productivity and sustainability of grain crop production systems in Kentucky and surrounding states. This integrated approach includes: i) the study of yield physiology and the role of enviornmental variables involved in grain yield determination, ii) evaluation of genotype x environment x management options that can optimize the use of light, water, and nutrients, iii) the aid of mechanistic crop simulation models as a platform for studying and predicting complex soil-plant-atmosphere interactions, and iv) collaborations with geneticists, economists, and high-thoroughput phenotyping and precision agriculture techniques. The final goal of this interdisciplinary effort is the development of user-friendly decision tools and recommendations that address current and future challenges for increasing productivity with a sustainable use of resources.