Source: NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV submitted to NRP
RESPONDING TO INDUSTRY CHALLENGES IN SOILLESS MEDIA: ASSESSMENT OF DISEASE THREATS AND BIOFUNGICIDE EFFICACY IN WOOD SUBSTRATES
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1033832
Grant No.
2022-70006-44822
Cumulative Award Amt.
$256,124.36
Proposal No.
2025-02321
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jul 15, 2025
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2025
Grant Year
2025
Program Code
[ARDP]- Applied Research and Development Program
Recipient Organization
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV
(N/A)
RALEIGH,NC 27695
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Greenhouse growers are increasingly adopting wood-based soilless substrates to meet sustainability and supply challenges. However, they face uncertainty about how these substrates affect plant health and disease control. This project evaluates how engineered wood components influence soilborne diseases and the effectiveness of biopesticides. Findings will inform growers, industry stakeholders, and researchers on best practices, ultimately improving plant production, reducing pesticide use, and supporting economic and environmental sustainability in greenhouse systems.
Animal Health Component
90%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
90%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2052121106060%
2121499116020%
1020650101020%
Goals / Objectives
This project aims to understand how wood-derived soilless substrates influence plant disease development and biofungicide efficacy, supporting sustainable greenhouse production. Specifically, it seeks to:1) Survey wood substrate components for effects on soilborne disease severity.2) Assess how wood processing and preconditioning affect plant-pathogen dynamics.3) Evaluate how wood substrates influence the performance of biofungicides on disease incidence and severity.
Project Methods
A systems-based, multidisciplinary research strategy will be employed:- Laboratory and greenhouse trials assessing disease severity and biofungicide efficacy.- Physiochemical analyses of substrate components.- Evaluation of preconditioning treatments of wood substrates.- Pathology assays with model crops (cucumber, lettuce, chrysanthemum) and Pythium.- Statistical analysis using ANOVA and mixed models.- Engagement with industry for feedback and dissemination.- Holistic mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students in this area of science and extension.