Pioneering Sustainable Solutions for Fruit Growers Through Research

Jul 30, 2025

By Denise Attaway

Johanna Wesche is making waves in the world of agricultural science with her groundbreaking research on sustainable disease management in fruit crops.

Wesche is from the village of Gross Laferde in Lower Saxony in northern Germany. She will complete her graduate studies at Clemson University in August after studying under the mentorship of Guido Schnabel, a plant pathologist in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS) Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences.

She is preparing to take the next step in her academic career by transitioning into a postdoctoral position. Her long-term goal is to lead a research and Cooperative Extension Service program and establish a lab dedicated to developing science-based solutions for growers.

“My dream is to help solve real-world problems in agriculture,” Wesche said. “I want to continue working in academia where I can combine research, teaching and outreach to make a meaningful impact.”

At Clemson, Wesche honed critical skills to serve her well in her future endeavors. She credits Schnabel for helping her become a stronger scientific writer and more effective communicator.

Source : clemson.edu

Video: Dr. Emerson Nafziger: Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn

The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.