MRI: Acquisition of Gas Analyzers to Strengthen Multidisciplinary Research and Education at Tennessee State University

田纳西州立大学(TSU)被授予获得最先进的便携式光合作用系统和土壤气体分析仪，这将加强TSU的多学科研究和学生培训，TSU是一所历史悠久的黑人学院和大学。新设备将纳入本科生和研究生的课程，以丰富研究、培训和学习。收购该仪器将提高教师在生态、农业和环境科学领域吸引和指导未被充分代表的少数民族学生的能力，为进行独立研究项目的学生提供实践研究经验，并培养一支多样化和有能力的劳动力队伍。该项目还将有助于改善农业实践，以减少温室气体排放和保护环境。植物的光合作用固碳对植物生长和作物产量起着至关重要的作用，而土壤排放的温室气体则对全球气候和环境产生重大影响。获得的光合作用系统和温室气体分析仪设备将支持研究和教学，以解决植物生态学、生态系统生态学、作物分子遗传和育种、有机农业和生物地球化学等领域的研究问题。具体地说，该仪器将用于调查植物对干旱和潮湿条件的反应、草原和农田的土壤温室气体排放、作物生理和生产的有机耕作实践，以及生物能源作物和其他作物的生物炭和氮素应用？生长、产量和土壤温室气体排放。收购仪器设备将允许教职员工和学生开展重要的研究项目，否则这些项目将在TSU受到严重阻碍。申请的仪器将极大地改善生态、农业和环境科学研究的研究基础设施，增强教师的研究能力，提高他们的研究生产率。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

An award is made to Tennessee State University (TSU) to acquire a state-of-the-art portable photosynthesis system and soil gas analyzer that will enhance multidisciplinary research and student training at TSU, a Historically Black College and University. The new equipment will be integrated into the curriculum at both undergraduate and graduate levels to enrich the research training and learning. The acquisition of the instrument will increase the ability of the faculty to attract and mentor under-represented minority students in the fields of ecology, agriculture, and environmental sciences, provide hands-on research experience to students conducting independent research projects, and prepare a diverse and competent workforce. The project will also help improve agricultural practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment. Photosynthetic carbon fixation by plants plays a vital role for plant growth and crop yield while the releases of greenhouse gases from soils significantly influence global climate and environment. The equipment of photosynthesis system and greenhouse gas analyzer acquired will support research and teaching to address research questions in the areas of plant ecology, ecosystem ecology, crop molecular genetics and breeding, organic agriculture, and biogeochemistry. Specifically, the instrument will be used to investigate plant responses to drought and wet conditions, soil greenhouse gas emissions in grasslands and croplands, organic farming practices on crop physiology and production, and biochar and nitrogen applications on bioenergy crop and other crops? growth, yield, and soil greenhouse gas emissions. The acquisition of instrumentation will allow faculty and students to carry out the important research projects that would otherwise be significantly impeded at TSU. The requested instrument will greatly improve the research infrastructure for ecology, agriculture and environmental science research, enhance the faculty research capability, and improve their research productivity.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.