Soil Microbial Ecology Lab
Lori Hoagland - Professor of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Co-Director of the Arequipa Nexus Institute
Related Research Projects:
"Tomato organic management and improvement project (TOMI)"
Funded by USDA-NIFA-OREI (Award #’s 2014-513000-22267; 2019-513000-30245; 2024-51300-43372)
The primary goal of the TOMI project is to help organic vegetable growers improve the productivity and sustainability of their tomato crops by developing new biologically-based approaches to manage foliar diseases in organic farming systems. The TOMI team is taking an integrated approach to achieve this goal by: 1) identifying ways to promote microbes with disease suppressive activity in soils and on tomato plants, 2) identifying tomato germplasm with the capacity to recruit and support microbes with disease suppressive capabilities, and 3) developing new, improved tomato varieties with multiple forms of disease resistance and other desirable traits such as good flavor. In the third phase of this project, the TOMI teas will also be working closely with organic tomato farmers, consumers and chefs to develop new decision-support tools that will help organic farmers improve the efficacy of biocontrol strategies and select varieties with the best traits for their farms and culinary networks.
"Microbiome-mediated plant genetic resistance for enhanced agricultural sustainability"
Funded by the National Science Foundation URoL:ASC (Award #: 2023 – 2319569)
Studies funded under this initiative directly support the TOMI project by: 1) identifying genetic markers to integrate selection for microbiome-mediated resistance to both soil and foliar diseases into tomato breeding programs, and 2) investigating opportunities to further suppress foliar diseases in tomato using grafting.
"Carrot improvement for organic agriculture (CIOA)"
Funded by USDA-NIFA-OREI (Award #’s 2011-51300-30903; 2016-513-25721; 2021-51300-34900)
The goal of the CIOA project is to develop novel colored and nutritious carrot varieties that are better able to thrive in organic farming systems due to greater disease resistance, weed competitiveness, and food safety. This large, multidisciplinary project is being led by Dr. Phillip Simon (USDA-ARS/U. Wisconsin-Madison). Studies in the Hoagland Lab are supporting this project by identifying carrot germplasm that can signal and support beneficial soil microbes that aid in nutrient scavenging, control diseases, and prevent the uptake of toxic heavy metals into edible taproots. She is also working with local growers in Indiana to evaluate advanced breeding lines from this program.
"Supporting soil, crop and community health through organic farming systems"
Funded by The Arequipa Nexus Institute in 2023
The primary goal of this project is to help farmers in southern Peru transition to organic farming systems, though the studies also have potential to help Indiana’s organic farmers overcome their production challenges. Specific activities include: 1) identifying soil amendments that improve soil health, suppress diseases, and stabilize toxic heavy metals to prevent uptake into edible produce; 2) developing new ‘smart-composting bins’ and compost test kits that will allow farmers to improve the quality of their composts and microbial amendments; and, 3) creating extension guides focused on how to develop participatory guarantee systems for organic certification, soil fertility programs, integrated pest management plans, and marketing cooperatives.