WVU Organic Research Project

Soil Biology

A healthy soil is needed to grow healthy plants. Soils with high levels of biological activity will recycle nutrients faster, improve soil structure, and suppress plant pathogens.

Earthworms serve as indicators of soil quality. Earthworm population density and biomass are being monitored to evaluate the effect of farming systems on these organisms.

Biocontrol agents active against root-infecting nematodes include nematode trapping fungi, and beneficial predatory nematodes. Studies are underway to evaluate whether farming systems influence these biocontrol agents and whether this in turn reduces damage from the plant pathogenic nematodes.