Profiling Microbial Communities in Soils from Organic, Sustainable, and Conventional Cropping Systems

2012 Annual Report for GNC10-137

Project Type: Graduate Student
Funds awarded in 2010: $9,999.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2013
Grant Recipient: University of Minnesota
Region: North Central
State: Minnesota
Graduate Student:
Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Craig Sheaffer
University of Minnesota
Faculty Advisor:
Donald Wyse
University of Minnesota

Profiling Microbial Communities in Soils from Organic, Sustainable, and Conventional Cropping Systems

Summary

This project investigates the effect of cover crops and fertilizers on soil bacterial community structure and function in organically managed soils. Field plots were established at three collaborating farms in southern Minnesota and the Southwest Research and Outreach Station in Lamberton. The experiment has eight treatments: four cover crops (rye, hairy vetch, buckwheat, and tillage radish), three fertilizers (uncomposted dairy manure, composted poultry manure, and Sustane), and a no-amendment control. Extraction and sequencing of 16S rDNA from soil samples will be used to generate a census of bacterial taxa present in the samples. Several soil functions of interest to growers, including decomposition and nutrient cycling, will be measured by laboratory assays of sampled soil.

Objectives/Performance Targets

This project has two objectives: 1) to investigate the effects of cover crop and fertilizer amendments on soil bacterial community structure, and 2) to determine whether bacterial community structure is correlated with assayed values of soil function.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Cover crops were established in August 2012 and fertilizer treatments were applied in October 2012. Because the price of sequencing has dropped during the time since we wrote this grant, we have held off on extracting and sequencing the fall-collected samples while are assessing how best to take advantage of the increased capacity now available to us. We expect to take further samples in April, May, and August.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

This project will contribute to the ability of growers to make informed decisions about appropriate practices for achieving specific desired goals for improvement of soil microbial diversity and function. It will also contribute to the scientific understanding of whether information on soil microbial community structure is useful for prediction of soil function.

Collaborators:

Dr. Donald Wyse

wysex001@umn.edu
Professor
411 Borlaug Hall
1991 Upper Buford Cir.
St. Paul, MN 55108
Office Phone: 6126257064
Adria Fernandez

ferna108@umn.edu
Graduate Student
411 Borlaug Hall
1991 Upper Buford Cir.
St. Paul, MN 55108
Office Phone: 6514343344
Dr. Craig Sheaffer

sheaf001@umn.edu
Professor
411 Borlaug Hall
1991 Upper Buford Cir.
St. Paul, MN 55108
Office Phone: 6126257224