The ISRC recently hosted visits with researchers from Nutrien Ag Solutions and Corteva Agriscience, connecting them with ISRC faculty research affiliate Liang Dong, electrical and computer engineering. The visiting researchers were interested in Dong’s project, initially funded by the ISRC, in which he developed and used sensors in row crops to detect the early onset of diseases. Completed in fall 2024, the project went on to receive federal funding through USDA-NIFA. More about Dong’s ISRC-funded research may be found on the ISRC’s website.

During the visits, Dong provided a presentation on the different types of plant sensors he has created for monitoring plant viruses and the detection of nitrogen, water and organic compounds found in soil, followed by tours of his research labs at Iowa State.

In addition, the Iowa Soybean Association featured Dong’s research in their State of Soy video series, which included ISRC industry partner representative Aman Anand, senior manager of digital and agronomic collaboration with Nutrien.