Integrated anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) systems
Biological or anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is a promising non-chemical alternative to soil fumigation, but alone may not always be as effective as soil fumigation. We are evaluating how crop rotation interacts with ASD treatment, and how indigenous and inoculated biostimulant/biocontrol microorganisms enhance treatment effects.
Biological/anaerobic soil disinfestation mechanisms
Although the general mechanisms through which ASD controls soilborne plant pathogens have been described, the mechanisms of action are poorly understood across environments and pathosystems. We are evaluating how changes to soil chemical properties (e.g., volatile fatty acids, reduced forms of Fe and Mn) affect soilborne fungal pathogens and biocontrol organisms during and after ASD, and how soil environmental conditions affect these relationships.
Ecological functioning of alley cropping systems for vegetable production
Alley cropping (AC) agroforestry systems are multifunctional land use systems that are effective for mitigating climate extremes and restoring essential ecosystem services, but research on AC systems as a microclimate modification strategy for horticultural crops in the southeastern US is limited. We are evaluating how AC systems modify microclimate and affect vegetable crop performance and nutrient cycling.
Endophytic and associative fungi in horticultural systems
Trichoderma is a versatile fungal organism known to function in both disease control and plant growth promotion. Similarly, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associations provide both nutrient uptake and disease resistance benefits to crops. While both are widely marketed as commercial biocontrols/biostimulants, field performance can be variable. We are evaluating the role of soil environmental conditions in regulating outcomes of these crop-fungal interactions.
Crop diversity effects on plant-soil interactions in organic forage systems
A better understanding of the belowground function of forage mixtures in organic systems can contribute to management recommendations in relation to soil fertility and C sequestration. We are evaluating how forage mixtures of increasing functional diversity alter sward root morphology and C & N cycling in organic forage systems.
