Duncan Announces UT Agricultural Research Funding

Washington, DC -- Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.) announced the funding of two agricultural research projects at the University of Tennessee on Thursday totaling $2 million.

$1 million in federal funding has been awarded for Bioenergy Plant Production and Carbon Sequestration research.  This project will allow UT researchers to continue their efforts to understand and improve the sequestration of carbon in plants, particularly energy crops developed as feedstock for biofuel production.

An additional $1 million has been allocated for Phytosensors for Crop Security and Precision Agriculture.  The goal of this research, according to the University of Tennessee, is "...to produce crop plants that can be used directly as early-warning sentinels for the detection of plant disease. An early warning system would be invaluable for protecting our food supply. If farmers know about an outbreak of a disease before symptoms show, then crops can be treated and rescued with minimal economic losses."

The funding was secured by Rep. Duncan through the Fiscal Year 2010 appropriations process.

"I am very pleased I was able to help the University of Tennessee secure these vital research funds.  UT is one of the greatest assets of East Tennessee and a leader in the scientific community, especially in the field of agriculture.  The research conducted today will yield the technology used by the agriculture industry in the future, and I am always proud of the continuing accomplishments of this fine university," Duncan said.

For more information on the scientific elements of these grants, please contact Patricia McDaniels, UT Institute of Agriculture Marketing and Communications, at 865-835-4570.