Impacts of soil wetting bacteria and biochar on plant growth
MICRA Research Thrust 2
Researchers, Dr. Aguilar, Dr. Jha, Dr. Hansen, Dr. Hettiarachchi, Dr. Kim, Dr. Schactman, and Dr. Taghvaeian will investigate how the addition of biochar to soil can stimulate microbial activities by providing essential nutrients and organic/inorganic carbon, and how biochar is enhancing water infiltration rates/drainage and allowing water to be held in inter- and intra-pores of a soil-biochar mix, which increases plant available water for crop production. The team also study how biochar with B. subtilis can preserve soil moisture.
Research objectives:
Objective A Lab-scale investigations of biochar-amended soils with & without B. subtilis - biochar interactions in soils
Objective B
Understanding the role of biochar and bacterial amendments in mediating plant productivity through their impact on soil water and nutrient dynamics and the rhizobiome using greenhouse experiments
Objective C
Field investigation of the impacts of biochar and bacterial amendments on nutrient transformation, the rhizobiome and plant water use efficiency