Research Articles
In addition to our long-term trials, we conduct ongoing experiments in a wide range of topics including organic pest management, livestock and crop integration, compost formulations, and more. Get the latest updates on our research projects here.
August 18, 2025
Living mulches, crimped cover crops, and plastic mulch influence on soil health, weed suppression, and yield in organic globe artichoke systems
July 23, 2025
A New Way to Grow Healthier Lettuce: Using UV Light and Organic Fungicide to Control Powdery Mildew in the Greenhouse
July 23, 2025
Improving Industrial Hemp Yield and Quality: What We Learned About Spacing, Fertilizer, and Environmental Conditions
July 23, 2025
Which Hemp Varieties Grow Best? A Northeast Study on Yields and Root Colonization in Regenerative Organic Fields
July 23, 2025
Precision Nitrogen Use in CBD Hemp: What Growers Need to Know for Better Yield and Quality
June 10, 2025
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.): The golden spice—management, challenges, and opportunities for sustainable production in the United States
May 14, 2025
Impact of Tillage Practices and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Inoculation on Organic Sweet Corn Yield and Nutritional Quality
April 15, 2025
Performance and Mycorrhizal Colonization of Industrial Hemp Varieties Under Regenerative Organic Systems in Northeastern Region
April 11, 2025
Industrial Hemp Yield and Chemical Composition as Influenced by Row Spacing, Fertilization, and Environmental Conditions
March 19, 2025
Biochar Impacts on Soil Water Dynamics: Knowns, Unknowns, and Research Directions
March 4, 2025
Integrated Control of Powdery Mildew Using UV Light Exposure and OMRI-Certified Fungicide for Greenhouse Organic Lettuce Production
January 15, 2025
Precision Nitrogen Management for Optimal Yield and Cannabinoid Profile in CBD Hemp Agronomy
July 23, 2024
Cover Crop Roller-Crimping to Manage Weed Pressure in Regenerative Organic CBD-Hemp Production
April 4, 2024
Assessing Cover Crop Biomass and Roller Crimper Technology for Sustainable Weed Management in Coastal California Vegetable Systems
April 2, 2024
Rooted in Nature: The Rise, Challenges, and Potential of Organic Farming and Fertilizers in Agroecosystems
March 14, 2024
Integrated Disease Management Strategy to Enhance Microgreen Production in Regenerative Organic Systems
October 31, 2023
An Evaluation of Carbon Indicators of Soil Health in Long-term Agricultural Experiments
October 31, 2023
Selecting Soil Hydraulic Properties as Indicators of Soil Health: Measurement Response to Management and Site Characteristics
October 31, 2023
Carbon-Sensitive Pedotransfer Functions for Plant Available Water
October 31, 2023
Linking Soil Health to Human Health: Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Play a Key Role in Plant Uptake of the Antioxidant Ergothioneine from Soils
October 31, 2023
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Increase the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Yellow and Purple Fleshed Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)
October 12, 2023
Growing Industrial Hemp as an Organic Cash Crop
September 14, 2023
Mycorrhizal Fungi: The Colonizers, Mediators, and Protectors of the Ecosystem
November 17, 2022
Variation in Phytonutrient Levels in Butternut Wintersquash with Storage Period, Management Practices, and Cropping Systems in the Vegetable Systems Trial (VST) at Rodale Institute
November 10, 2021
Variation of Total Phenolics in Lehigh and Purple Majesty Potato Cultivars with Cropping Systems in the Vegetable Systems Trial
June 23, 2021
Variations in Soil Health Indicators as a Result of Cropping Systems and Management Practices in the Vegetable Systems Trial at Rodale Institute
January 14, 2021
Influence of Topping Pruning Practice on Growth and Development of Industrial Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.) in Southern California
December 11, 2020
Organic Management Practices for Allium Leafminer (ALM) Pest
October 22, 2020
Distinct Distribution of Archaea From Soil to Freshwater to Estuary: Implications of Archaeal Composition and Function in Different Environments
October 8, 2020
Investigating the Use of Hairy Vetch Cover Crop as an Integrated Approach to Manage Powdery Mildew in Winter Squash
August 28, 2020
A Systematic Scoping Review of How Healthcare Organizations Are Facilitating Access to Fruits and Vegetables in Their Patient Populations
August 18, 2020
‘Organic No-Till’ Helps Farmers Succeed
June 5, 2020
Cropping System and Rotational Grazing Effects on Soil Fertility and Enzymatic Activity in an Integrated Organic Crop-Livestock System
June 4, 2020
Allium Leafminer: A New Culprit Targeting Allium Crops in Pennsylvania and Neighboring States
March 10, 2020
Impacts of Conventional & Organic Management Practices on Soil Health and Water Quality
March 4, 2020
Investigating Bat Activity in Various Agricultural Landscapes in Northeastern United States
January 20, 2020
Industrial Hemp Trial: Year 3 Results
August 6, 2019
Literature Review: Crop & Livestock Integration
July 23, 2019
Reducing Compaction in Organic No-till Vegetable Production
June 7, 2019
Compost Matters: An Emotional Debate or a Rational Discussion?
April 10, 2019
Pennsylvania Organic Vegetable Growers Use of Tillage and Cover Crop
February 28, 2019
Reduced-Tillage Increases Nutrient Concentrations in Stored Winter Squash
January 7, 2019
Industrial Hemp Trials: Preliminary Results
December 21, 2018
Assessing Drought Resistance in Soils Managed with Regenerative Organic Practices
November 28, 2018
3 Ways to Monitor Insect Populations on Your Farm
November 27, 2018
How to Plant Insectary Strips and Which Plants to Use
November 26, 2018
Field Guide: Controlling Striped Cucumber Beetles with Insectary Strips
June 13, 2018
Update: Industrial Hemp Research, Summer 2018
March 19, 2018
Chemically And Biologically-Designed Compost Extract: A Potential Tactic For Biological Control Of Weeds
December 18, 2017
Verification of Parasitism of Striped Cucumber Beetles and Bacterial Wilt of Cucurbits Using Molecular Analyses
July 13, 2017
Shade Avoidance: Can We Breed for Weed Resistance?
July 13, 2017
Nodulation of Leguminous Crops Greater in Organic Systems
June 27, 2017
The High Residue Cultivator: Weed Rescue for No-Till Systems
June 15, 2017
Starter Fertilizer for Managing Cover Crop‐Based Organic Corn
June 14, 2017
Use of Chemically- and Microbially-Designed Compost Extracts for Managing Weeds
May 16, 2017
Strategies for Combating Drought, Flooding, and Nutrient Loss
May 16, 2017
A scientist shares insights and tips for managing compost piles
March 20, 2017
High-Residue Cultivation Timing Impact on Organic No-Till Soybean Weed Management
February 22, 2017
How to Innoculate Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on the Farm, Part 2
February 9, 2017
Evaluating a Polyculture Trap Crop for Organic Management of Halyomorpha Halys and Native Stink Bugs in Peppers
October 4, 2016
Roller-Crimper Helps Combat Herbicide Resistant Weeds
September 19, 2016
Managing Weeds with Perennial Understory Plants
July 6, 2016
Organic Oats More Nutrient Dense than Conventional
June 2, 2016
Organic No-Till Corn Production: Cover Crop and Starter Fertilizer Considerations
May 25, 2016
Utilization of inoculum of AM fungi produced on-farm increases the yield of Solanum lycopersicum: A summary of 7 years of field trials on a conventional vegetable farm with high soil phosphorus
May 24, 2016
Organic Systems Show Improved Soil Organic Matter; Conventional Remain Unchanged
February 27, 2016
Using Pelletized Starter Fertilizers to Improve Corn Yields in Reduced Tillage Systems
February 26, 2016
Identifying a Potential Trap Crop for a Novel Insect Pest, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), in Organic Farms
January 14, 2016
Planting Date Impacts on Soil Water Management, Plant Growth, and Weeds in Cover-Crop-Based No-Till Corn Production
January 6, 2016
Vermicomposting for Beginners
December 18, 2015
Demonstrating the Use of Roller Crimper Technology and Starter Fertilizer in No-Till Organic Corn
December 14, 2015
Overcoming Challenges of Reduced-Till Organic Corn
November 23, 2015
Managing the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Organically
November 16, 2015
The Dirt on Biodegradable Plastics
August 3, 2015
Weed Dynamics during Transition to Conservation Agriculture in Western Kenya Maize Production
July 14, 2015
Differences in Milk Characteristics Between a Cow Herd Transitioning to Organic Versus Milk from a Conventional Dairy Herd
March 20, 2015
Improved Understanding of Climate Change Impact to Pennsylvania Dairy Pasture
October 10, 2014
Pelletized Biochar as a Carrier for AM Fungi in the On- Farm System of Inoculum Production in Compost and Vermiculite Mixtures
June 13, 2014
Perspective on Rodale Institute’s Farming Systems Trial
April 4, 2014
Beyond Black Plastic
January 23, 2014
Compost Management in Certified Organic Operations
December 25, 2013
A framework for evaluating ecosystem services provided by cover crops in agroecosystems
April 19, 2013
Beliefs and Practices of Sustainable Farmers in South Dakota
April 19, 2013
Nutrient, Labor, Energy and Economic Evaluations of Two Farming Systems in Iowa
April 1, 2013
Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Crop Production Using the Farm Energy Analysis Tool
March 21, 2013
Overcoming Weed Management Challenges in Cover Crop–Based Organic Rotational No-Till Soybean Production in the Eastern United States
December 17, 2012
Turning Compost by Temperature
December 12, 2012
How to Create a Soil Community
July 17, 2012
The Contribution of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi to the Success or Failure of Agricultural Practices
June 11, 2012
Utilization of inoculum of AM fungi produced on-farm for the production of Capsicum annuum: A summary of seven years of field trials on a conventional vegetable farm
May 1, 2012
Reduced-Tillage Organic Corn Production in a Hairy Vetch Cover Crop
July 1, 2011
Effects of Seeding Rate and Poultry Litter on Weed Suppression from a Rolled Cereal Rye Cover Crop
June 12, 2011
Growing Vegetables with Cover Crop Mulch
May 1, 2011
Blade Roller–Green Manure Interactions on Nitrogen Dynamics, Weeds & Organic Wheat
April 1, 2011
Weed Seed Persistence and Microbial Abundance in Long-Term Organic and Conventional Cropping Systems
April 1, 2011
Potential Synergistic Effects of Cereal Rye Biomass and Soybean Planting Density on Weed Suppression
January 5, 2011
Monitoring the Decline in AM Fungus Populations & Efficacy During a Long Term Bare Fallow
December 8, 2010
How to Innoculate Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on the Farm, Part 1
December 7, 2010
Quick and Easy Guide: On-Farm Production of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Inoculum
September 3, 2010
Management Filters and Species Traits: Weed Community Assembly in Long-Term Organic and Conventional Systems
March 6, 2010
Application of the DNDC model to the Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial: challenges for the validation of drainage and nitrate leaching in agroecosystem models
January 31, 2010
Elucidating the apparent maize tolerance to weed competition in long-term organically managed systems
January 21, 2010
Hairy Vetch Management for No-Till Organic Corn Production
November 11, 2009
Weed–crop competition relationships differ between organic and conventional cropping systems
October 13, 2009
On-farm Production of Inoculum of Indigenous Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Assessment of Diluents of Compost for Inoculum Production
September 1, 2009
Environmental, Energetic, and Economic Comparisons of Organic and Conventional Farming Systems
July 1, 2009
Abiotic Nitrate Retention in Agroecosystems and a Forest Soil
June 2, 2009
History of Organic Farming and Certification
June 2, 2009
Education in Organic Farming and Food Systems
April 2, 2009
Compost, Manure and Synthetic Fertilizer Influences Crop Yields, Soil Properties, Nitrate Leaching and Crop Nutrient Content
February 5, 2009
It’s (Almost) Never Too Late to Plant Hairy Vetch
January 8, 2009
Modeling N2O Flux from an Illinois Agroecosystem using Monte Carlo Sampling of Field Observations
October 22, 2008
Organic Agriculture
February 17, 2008
Choosing the Best Cover Crops for Your Organic No-Till Vegetable System
June 2, 2007
Nutrients in Agroecosystems: Rethinking the Management Paradigm
January 5, 2007
Organic Farming Enhances Soil Carbon and its Benefits
December 2, 2006
The Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial 1981 to 2005: Long-term analysis of organic and conventional maize and soybean cropping systems
January 1, 2005
Compost in the 20th Century: A Tool to Control Plant Diseases in Nursery and Vegetable Crops
May 11, 2004
Best Practices for Growing Organic Apples in the Northeast
May 1, 2004
Defining and Assessing Soil Quality
September 1, 2003
The performance of organic and conventional cropping systems in an extreme climate year
January 11, 2002
Transition from Conventional to Organic Farming Systems: I. Challenges, Recommendations, and Guidelines for Pest Management
June 29, 2000
Effects of tillage intensity on nitrogen dynamics and productivity in legume-based grain systems
May 12, 2000
Diversity of communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi present in conventional versus low-input agricultural sites in eastern Pennsylvania, USA
October 1, 1999
Sources of Productivity Growth During the Transition to Alternative Cropping Systems
November 19, 1998
Legume-based cropping systems have reduced carbon and nitrogen losses
January 1, 1998
Low-Input Cropping Systems and Efficiency of Water and Nitrogen Use
July 1, 1997
Comparison of Substrate Utilization Assay and Fatty Acid Analysis of Soil Microbial Communities
January 1, 1997
Potentially Mineralizable Nitrogen as an Indicator of Biologically Active Soil Nitrogen
July 1, 1996
Organic Matter Fractions from Organically and Conventionally Managed Soils: II. Characterization of Composition
July 1, 1996
Acetate Fate in Organic and Conventionally Managed Soils
April 1, 1995
Strategies for Encouraging the Use of Organic Wastes in Agriculture
July 1, 1994
Organic and Conventional Management Effects on Biologically Active Soil Organic Matter Pools
December 1, 1993
Agroecosystem Responses to Alternative Crop and Soil Management Systems in the U.S. Corn-Soybean Belt
March 2, 1990
Effects of Conversion to Organic Agricultural Practices on Soil Biota
July 1, 1987
Influence of Alternative & Conventional Agricultural Management on Soil Microbial Processes & Nitrogen Availability
June 12, 1986
The Transition to Organic Agriculture: A Multi-year Simulation Model of a Pennsylvania Farm
December 2, 1984
Organic Farming Research at the Rodale Research Center
January 1, 1984