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Identifying biocontrol agents for X-disease vectors to allow integrated pest management in cherries

X-disease, colloquially referred to as “little cherry disease” is the key threat to Pacific Northwest cherry production and the only management options are tree removal and control of leafhoppers that vector the phytoplasma pathogen. With little natural enemy knowledge, vector control focuses only on chemical controls, suspending integrated management principles. Here, we propose using primers […]

Deploying satellite-imagery based machine-learning models for large-scale mapping of tillage practices

State-wide mapping of soil-health indicators and related agricultural practices is key to tracking our progress towards improving sustainability of agriculture. While this information and low-cost platforms to gather this information for large areas are currently lacking, there have been some recent successes such as satelliteimagery based tillage class mapping for the United States Corn Belt. […]

Quantifying Synergies Among Soil-Based Carbon-Drawdown Approaches

Very large quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) will need to be removed from the atmosphere over the course of the next century or two to stabilize Earth’s climate at a safe temperature. A handful of C-drawdown approaches are available to perform this task, three of which involve soils: increasing stocks of soil organic matter (SOM), […]

Tracking the Tango Between Tillage, Soil Health, and Weeds

Tillage is a crucial stage in annual agricultural systems that terminates overwintering vegetation, incorporates plant residues, and prepares the soil for crops. These activities degrade soil health and impact indicators such as soil microbial biomass, organic matter, and aggregate stability. Weed populations are also influenced by tillage as seed and vegetative parts are horizontally and […]

Integrative analyses of pome fruits associated microbiota for decay prevention and health benefits

Microbiota associated with fruits are strongly affected by agricultural practices, but there is only sparse data available on fungal and bacterial diversity in biologically intensive, organic, and conventional apples and none on pears. In Europe, ciders are traditionally produced through spontaneous fermentation from fruits and equipment-associated microbiota, a practice that imparts distinct organoleptic properties and […]

Increasing legume nodulation for improved symbiotic nitrogen fixation

We have identified a gene from Sinorhizobium medicae that substantially increases nodulation of Sinorhizobium meliloti on barrel medic and Rhizobium leguminosarum on pea and increases biomass of nodulated barrel medic by ~40%.  The glx gene appears to work by overcoming plant-mediated inhibition of nodule formation and is the first gene we know of with this […]