A5003801310- Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Soil and Water Nutrient Dynamics
- Microbial bioremediation and biosurfactants
- Wastewater Treatment and Nitrogen Removal
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Agronomic Practices and Intercropping Systems
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Crop Yield and Soil Fertility
- Bioenergy crop production and management
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Plant nutrient uptake and metabolism
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Marine and coastal ecosystems
- Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis
- Biofuel production and bioconversion
- Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology
- Soil Management and Crop Yield
- Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics
- Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity
- Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
- Microbial Fuel Cells and Bioremediation
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
2016-2024
Harrow Research and Development Centre
2018-2023
AgriBio
2017-2023
Government of Canada
2023
National Association of Friendship Centres
2023
University of Windsor
2023
Agriculture Victoria
2017-2020
Okanagan University College
2012-2015
University of British Columbia
2012-2015
University of Saskatchewan
2006-2011
Microbial inhabitants of soils are important to ecosystem and planetary functions, yet there large gaps in our knowledge their diversity ecology. The 'Biomes Australian Soil Environments' (BASE) project has generated a database microbial with associated metadata across extensive environmental gradients at continental scale. As the characterisation microbes rapidly expands, BASE provides an evolving platform for interrogating integrating function. currently amplicon sequences contextual data...
Abstract Demand for food is rising and the ability of any particular soil to support sustainable production dependent upon a variety biochemical, chemical physical parameters. However, challenge that impacts new management practice on properties may take years assess. In this field study, we investigated effects long‐term cropping rotation treatments (established in 2001) health indicators from soils under monoculture, 2‐yr 3‐yr crop rotations with without cover crop. particular, compared...
Abstract Ensuring sufficient fertilizer nitrogen (N) for crops while minimizing N losses requires best management practices optimized climate, crop, soil, and root zone hydrology. In Ontario, pre‐plant fertilization of corn ( Zea mays L.) is common; however, this practice extends the time between application significant interception by plant, potentially increasing risk loss through soil nitrous oxide emissions, ammonia (NH 3 ) volatilization, nitrate leaching. These contribute to greenhouse...
Abstract Soybean ( Glycine max L.) is known to contribute soil N reserves when grown in rotation with other high‐value crops such as corn Zea mays and winter wheat Triticum aestivum L.). However, continuous soybean “short” rotations (e.g., corn–soybean, wheat–soybean) may cause declining yields degrading health over time. In this long‐term field study, we determined crop effects on yield indicators for a cool, humid, clay loam southwestern Ontario. The study used nine rotations, which...
Nitrogen (N) contributed by legumes is an important component of N supply to subsequent cereal crops, yet few Australian grain-growers routinely monitor soil mineral before applying fertiliser. Soil and crop data from 16 dryland experiments conducted in eastern Australia 1989–2016 were examined explore the possibility developing simple predictive relationships assist farmer decision-making. In each experiment, legume crops harvested for grain or brown-manured (BM, terminated maturity with...
The addition of bentonite, used as soil conditioner, can promote sandy macro-aggregate formation, moisture content retention and increase nutrient concentrations. However, there is limited knowledge about how bentonite influences microbial communities interconnections among community members associated with crops, such maize in continuous production on soils. Metabarcoding analysis the fungal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region bacterial 16S rRNA gene V4 revealed that fields...
Canada has targeted a 30% reduction in N2O emissions from fertilizer by 2030 its commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To help achieve these commitments, 'Pipes & Valves' conceptual visualization of the DNDC model was combined with DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC) evaluate suite nutrient management and conservation practices. The objectives were meet targets as well other reactive-N species (N2O, NH3 NO3- leaching) provide systems approach while increasing corn yields. This...
Abstract Ammonia loss following nitrogen fertilization can degrade air quality and impact human health, whereas nitrous oxide (N 2 O) contribute to global warming climate change. Mitigation practices that target only one N‐loss pathway lead pollution swamping; hence, targeting both N‐losses are required. A 3‐year field study examined fertilizer N‐placement (broadcast urea, single‐slot injection of urea ammonium nitrate [UAN], double‐slot UAN injection) N‐metabolization inhibitors...
Soil mesofauna critically support organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling, as well regulating pests diseases. Agricultural activities can physically chemically influence soil communities, thereby impacting the ecosystem services they provide. Conserving natural features in agricultural environments is known to biodiversity associated services, yet communities their functions such require further study. We sampled mesofaunal (focusing on Acari [mites] Collembola [springtails])...
Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal community composition is structured by soil properties, but specialization for woody microsites ECM fungi equivocal. Because mycelia explore the substrate and colonize nutrient patches, studies targeting hyphae may reveal niche preferences. Moreover, studying distribution of hyphal communities contributes to our understanding cycling in forest soils. We used next-generation sequencing determine whether floor present as differed among three microsite types:...