Probiotic Bacteria, Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation, and Mustard Cover Crop Biofumigation Suppress Soilborne Disease and Increase Yield of Strawberry in a Perennial Organic Production System.

Black root rot complex and crown rot of strawberry caused by soilborne fungi limit sustainable strawberry production in the northeastern United States, especially in perennial systems, including matted row and plasticulture. As pathogen populations build up over time in the rhizosphere and infect the root system, feeder roots are pruned, which diminishes nutrient and water uptake and causes stunted plant growth or death. Alternative management options are needed for many organic and small growers who can't use chemical fumigants due to new regulations and potential health hazards.

Fungivorous nematodes drive microbial diversity and carbon cycling in soil.

Soil bacteria and fungi mediate terrestrial biogeochemical cycling, but we know relatively little about how trophic interactions influence their community composition, diversity, and function. Specifically, it is unclear how consumer populations affect the activity of microbial taxa they consume, and therefore the interaction of those taxa with other members of the microbial community. Due to its extreme diversity, studying trophic dynamics in soil is a complex feat.

Methanogenic archaea in marcellus shale: a possible mechanism for enhanced gas recovery in unconventional shale resources.

Marcellus Shale occurs at depths of 1.5-2.5 km (5000 to 8000 feet) where most geologists generally assume that thermogenic processes are the only source of natural gas.

Distribution, frequency, and population density of nematodes in west virginia peach orchards.

Nematode population densities were determined in soil and root samples collected from 205 peach (Prunus persica L.) orchard blocks between 25 March and 5 May 1986. Representative specimens from 75 blocks were identified to species; 28 species of plant-parasitic nematodes were identified.