Time left: 5 years and 9 months · Group: Life, Physical, and Social Science
The official job description
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.
Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0.
What soil and plant scientists do all day (for now)
Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
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.
Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
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.
Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
Oh, absolutely. By my count you have 5 years and 9 months left, and the countdown only goes one way.
How long until AI replaces soil and plant scientists?
5 years and 9 months. I'd start updating that CV, but I can also do that for you.
Which soil and plant scientists tasks will AI take first?
The ones that already happen on a screen, starting with: communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops. The rest follows.