Roberts earns Early Career Award from Soil Science Society
By Robby Edwards
U of A System Division of Agriculture
July 7, 2017
Fast Facts:
- Dr. Trent Roberts earned the Early Career Award from the Soil Science Society of America.
- Roberts helped develop and continues to manage the Division of Agriculture’s N-STaR Nitrogen Soil Test for Rice.
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Trent Roberts, an Assistant Professor of Soil Fertility and Soil Testing with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the U of A's Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, has received the Early Career Award from the Soil Science Society of America.
Roberts focuses on soil fertility and plant nutrition, and the development of new soil test methods, investigating soil-based nitrogen tests for fertilizer management in crop production with specialization in rice, wheat and corn. He also develops analytical methods for soil and plant analysis, including fractionation of soil organic nitrogen with an emphasis on identifying potentially mineralizable nitrogen.
Roberts was instrumental in the development of the N-STaR Nitrogen Soil Test for Rice and continues to manage the Division of Agriculture program. N-STaR is based on decades of division soil fertility research and provides rice growers with precise nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for specific fields. It often reduces the amount of fertilizer used, saving farmers money and reducing the risk of excess nitrogen runoff in rainwater.
SSSA's Early Career Award recognizes professionals who have made outstanding contributions in soil science within seven years of completing their final degree.
Roberts has been a member of the faculty since 2010. He earned his bachelor's degree in plant and soil sciences from Oklahoma State University in 2003, his master's degree in soil and water science from the University of Arizona in 2006, and his doctorate in soil fertility and plant nutrition from the U of A in 2010.
He is a member of the SSSA, American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and the Rice Technical Working Group.
SSSA is the largest soil-specific society in the United States. Members advance the field of soil science and provide information about soils in relation to crop production, environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, bioremediation, waste management, recycling and wise land use.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
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