Youth News
Check out Jessica Kenville of Edmond FFA Chapter, Your 2019 Central Area Star in Agriscience
Thu, 11 Apr 2019 21:51:59 CDT
During the month of April, the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and Oklahoma Farm Report is spotlighting the twenty Area Stars of Oklahoma FFA that are among the highest achievers in the organization. The stars come from the five areas in four categories- Star in Ag Placement, Star in Agriscience, Star in Agribusiness and Star in Production Agriculture. This week, we spotlight the five area stars in Agriscience for 2019. One Star Finalist featured in the coming days from each of the categories, will be named the State Star Award Winner during the Oklahoma State FFA Convention coming up April 30 - May 1, 2019 in Oklahoma City.
Today, we continue our coverage with this year's Central Area Star Jessica Kenville of the Edmond FFA Chapter. She's gotten into plant science projects, testing microbial affects on wheat root development as well as corn yield production. Jessica targeted the problem with urea based fertilizers, which over time can have damaging impacts on not only the soil but future crops to be planted there. Her goal was to find an alternative fertilizer which could be effective and environmentally friendly.
"I was using microbes and tested the root development affect versus the urea. I found that the urea group grew really thin, long roots which is because the roots don't have to stretch as far to reach their nutrients. The microbial group grew much larger root systems which will in turn allow these crops to survive longer, especially in periods of drought, " explained Kenville.
Jessica's second project she used the microbial fertilizer again but tested yield production. These molds and fungi have been found to have many beneficial aspects, including increasing yield.
"I was able to double the yield of corn using microbial fertilizer," she said proudly.
Agriscience Fairs are her main focus; she's been a national and state winner. Aside from that, she's done a variety of other things with the Edmond FFA such as floriculture.
When she graduates she'll move on to the University of Missouri and study Environmental and Conservational Sciences.
You can hear her entire conversation with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays, by clicking or tapping on the LISTEN BAR below.
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