Mark M. Alley

Prof. Mark M. Alley, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA, was nominated for the 2002 IFA International Award, which rewards research related to conditions in a developed country or a country in transition, by IFA member IMC Global.

The company also put his name forward for the 2000 Award, when he was runner-up.

Alley is the W.G. Wysor Professor of Agriculture, an endowed chair in the Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech).

Alley's research has focused on the effective and efficient use of fertilizers in total crop management systems. He developed a series of experiments on the yield-limiting factors of nitrogen fertilizer rates and application timings, plant requirements for phosphorus and potassium, precision planting and lodging control. Alley's current work with soil moisture availability, plant populations and fertilizer rates suggests that increased nitrogen fertilization and plant populations can increase maize yields by 12 to 15 per cent on selected soil series compared to standard practices.