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Soil and Plant Scientists: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

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This source lists 27 tasks, including 19 marked Core and 8 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2021.

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27 tasks shown

Core · Task 9021 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.

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Core · Task 9024 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.

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Core · Task 9022 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Provide information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which they can best use land, promote plant growth, or avoid or correct problems such as erosion.

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Core · Task 9025 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Conduct experiments to develop new or improved varieties of field crops, focusing on characteristics such as yield, quality, disease resistance, nutritional value, or adaptation to specific soils or climates.

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Core · Task 9026 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.

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Core · Task 9023 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.

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Core · Task 23903 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Conduct experiments to investigate the underlying mechanisms of plant growth and response to the environment.

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Core · Task 9030 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Identify degraded or contaminated soils and develop plans to improve their chemical, biological, or physical characteristics.

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Core · Task 9035 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Develop new or improved methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or insect pests.

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Core · Task 9034 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Provide advice regarding the development of regulatory standards for land reclamation or soil conservation.

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Core · Task 9027 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Study soil characteristics to classify soils on the basis of factors such as geographic location, landscape position, or soil properties.

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Core · Task 9028 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Develop improved measurement techniques, soil conservation methods, soil sampling devices, or related technology.

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Core · Task 9036 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Conduct research to determine best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating, harvesting, storing, processing, or transporting horticultural products.

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Core · Task 19751 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Develop environmentally safe methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or pests.

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Core · Task 19754 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Study ways to improve agricultural sustainability, such as the use of new methods of composting.

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Core · Task 9037 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Consult with engineers or other technical personnel working on construction projects about the effects of soil problems and possible solutions to these problems.

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Core · Task 9033 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Perform chemical analyses of the microorganism content of soils to determine microbial reactions or chemical mineralogical relationships to plant growth.

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Core · Task 9038 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Develop ways of altering soils to suit different types of plants.

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Core · Task 9029 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Conduct experiments investigating how soil forms, changes, or interacts with land-based ecosystems or living organisms.

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Supplemental · Task 9031 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Survey undisturbed or disturbed lands for classification, inventory, mapping, environmental impact assessments, environmental protection planning, conservation planning, or reclamation planning.

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Supplemental · Task 20198 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Plan or supervise waste management programs for composting or farming.

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Supplemental · Task 19753 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Research technical requirements or environmental impacts of urban green spaces, such as green roof installations.

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Supplemental · Task 9041 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Conduct experiments regarding causes of bee diseases or factors affecting yields of nectar or pollen.

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Supplemental · Task 9040 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Identify or classify species of insects or allied forms, such as mites or spiders.

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Supplemental · Task 9039 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Study insect distribution or habitat and recommend methods to prevent importation or spread of injurious species.

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Supplemental · Task 20199 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Plan or supervise land conservation or reclamation programs for industrial development projects.

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Supplemental · Task 19750 · 08/2021 · Occupational Expert

Conduct research into the use of plant species as green fuels or in the production of green fuels.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

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