Potato Soil Microbiome Research
Soil health describes several important functions in agricultural fields including resilience to disturbances, fighting crop diseases, decomposing organic matter, and using nutrients and water efficiently to enhance crop growth. These critical functions are largely driven by the activities of soil biota. However, soils are too complex to infer that increasing microbial diversity or activity will improve soil health in any given soil type or system. Thus, regional studies are needed. We are assessing the effects of management, like the use of cover crops, on soil health in potato cropping systems in south central and northwest Washington. Specifically, we are examining relationships between common soil health indicators and soil microbial community composition and nutrient use to determine which indicators best represent important soil processes in these systems.
Collaborators: Dr. Tarah Sullivan
Learn more:
- Read a blog post on microbial biomass in our tillage study: Monitoring the Mambo Between Soil Biology and Tillage
