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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Massard Prairie Restoration And Soil Microbiome Succession, Jeffrey M. Shaver, Emily S. Bellis, Chizuko Iwaki, Jake Qualls, Jay Randolph, Jeremiah Smith Jan 2020

Massard Prairie Restoration And Soil Microbiome Succession, Jeffrey M. Shaver, Emily S. Bellis, Chizuko Iwaki, Jake Qualls, Jay Randolph, Jeremiah Smith

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

We have initially sequenced soil microbial DNA from 4 restored and 4 virgin tallgrass prairie soil samples from Ben Geren Park and Massard Prairie (Fort Smith, AR), respectively. As expected, the soil microbiomes are distinct, with several lineages of nitrogen-fixing bacteria more common in virgin tall grass prairie. However, we predict that as restoration of tallgrass prairie in Ben Geren Park progresses, the soil microbiome of restored prairie will more closely mirror those of the virgin prairie.


Changes In Soil Microbiology Under Conventional And No-Till Production During Crop Rotation, C. J. Hsiao, G. F. Sassenrath, L. Zeglin, G. Hettiarachchi, C. Rice Jan 2019

Changes In Soil Microbiology Under Conventional And No-Till Production During Crop Rotation, C. J. Hsiao, G. F. Sassenrath, L. Zeglin, G. Hettiarachchi, C. Rice

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Soil microbial activity is important for crop production. Soil microbes are involved in nutrient and water cycling within the soil, and interact with crop plants to provide the basic nutrient and water resources needed for crop production. Claypan soils have unique physical characteristics that impact soil biology. This study explored the tempo­ral changes in soil microbiology in a claypan soil under conventional and no-till produc­tion during a crop rotation of corn/winter wheat/soybean/fallow commonly planted in southeast Kansas. We found soil microbial activity changed more in the top two inches of soil than in the lower soil layers. Wheat resulted in …


Key Components Of Healthy Soils And Their Role In Crop Production, C. J. Hsiao, Gretchen Sassenrath, Charles Rice, L. Zeglin, G. Hettiarachchi Jan 2017

Key Components Of Healthy Soils And Their Role In Crop Production, C. J. Hsiao, Gretchen Sassenrath, Charles Rice, L. Zeglin, G. Hettiarachchi

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Soil health is a confusing term that means different things to different people. To a crop producer, healthy soils are critical for good crop growth and yield. Some soil properties include soil texture, such as the relative percentage of sand, silt and clay; the water content; nutrient levels; organic carbon content; the microbial community; and microbial activity. These properties are determinants of soil health. Our research confirmed that changes in soil management affect the composition and activity of soil microorganisms in surface soils. Greater concentrations of microbial biomass and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) in the no-till agricultural system indicated healthier …