Progress 05/01/19 to 04/30/24
Outputs
Target Audience:Our efforts reached target audiences spanning academia and local to regional farmers and citizens. Audiences at the academic level were reached via peer-reviewed scientific publications (5 published, one in preparation) and conference presentations both locally and nationally (17talks, 3 posters). The general public was reached through popular media press of our project (WVU Today, 6/19/2019; Beckley (WV) Register Herald, 6/20/2019; WBOY (Clarksburg, WV NBC affiliate), 7/22/2019) and presentations at community outreach events (2021 WVU Organic Farm Field Day; First2 Network, WV Master Gardeners Conference, WV Library Series). Changes/Problems:Overall the project was highly successful, we did request and recieve a one year not cost extension to complete sample analysis and the publication of results. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided training opportunities for one PhD student, one MS student, and four undergraduate research assistants. The PhD student developed her presentation skills by presenting her work at the University level (WVU Davis College research day, WVU Organic Farm Field Day, WVU Biology department seminar series) and at national conferences (Ecological Society of America meeting, the American Society for Reclamation Sciences, Soil Science Society of America). Further, the PhD student supported by this grant published five first-author papers during the grant period (three of which were directly related to this work), gaining skills in data analysis and written science communication. Both the PhD and MS students were involved in designing and initiating the experiments, developing experimental design and critical thinking skills. Two undergraduates earned co-authorship on manuscripts resulting from this work, and all of the undergraduates gained laboratory skills (solution preparation, sample analysis, etc) and participated in research-oriented lab activities that encourage critical thinking such as reading and discussing journal articles during lab meetings. The PhD trained has been exceptionally successful, in addition to publishing her research in high impact journals she applied for and was awarded a USDA postdoctoral fellowship award to support additional research into plant microbe interactions in the Miscanthus rhizosphere. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Work supported by this funding resulted in five published scientific manuscripts, with and additional paper in preparation), two graduate theses (one PhD, one MS) and twenty presentations across local (e.g., WVU departmental seminars) and national scales (e.g., Ecological Society of America, Soil Science Society of America, American Geophysical Union). The public was also engaged in our work via three media releases (WVU Today, 6/19/2019; Beckley (WV) Register Herald, 6/20/2019; WBOY (Clarksburg, WV NBC affiliate), 7/22/2019) and community outreach events (2021 WVU Organic Farm Field Day, WV Master Gardeners Conference). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
To address the goals we conducted a large field experiment and two greenhouse experiments. Results were published in five articles in well respected journals. As a whole our results show that Miscanthus x giganteus is an excellent bioenergy crop for production across a range of marginal Appalachian soils because it improves biological soil health, sequesters carbon, and does not require fertilizer. Additionally, we observed some benefits of biofertilizer addition in greenhouse experiments for plant performance and soil function. Fertilization and Soil Disturbance Field Experiment ( Kane et al. 2023 Soil Biol. Biochem.) In May 2019 we planted Miscanthus across three sites with different disturbance histories. The sites vary in their degree of anthropogenic disturbance due to their land use history and were categorized as low, moderate, or high disturbance. Each site had plots subjected to one of four nutrient treatments annually: organic, low-rate inorganic, high-rate inorganic, or no addition. During the peak of the growing season we collected soil samples from each plot in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Plant biomass yield increased from 2020 to 2021 across all disturbance levels and did not respond to fertilization. Soil organic matter content increased from 2019 to 2020 at all sites. Fertilizer treatment had no effect on soil carbon, total soil organic matter content, soil nitrogen, or soil C/N. Microbial carbon use efficiency and biomass increased over time, and were unaffected by fertilizer treatments. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which support plant growth, increased over time at all sites. Bacterial community richness and evenness also increased over time. A total of 106 bacterial and 46 fungal taxa were identified as positive responders to Miscanthus establishment, including notable saprotrophic and plant growth-promoting bacteria and fungi. Sites became more similar over time during Miscanthus establishment in terms of their soil chemical and biological factors. Improvements in plant performance during Miscanthus establishment correlated with common microbial factors across disturbance levels. Specifically, plant height and stem number correlated positively with microbial carbon use efficiency, microbial biomass carbon, bacterial diversity, and mycorrhizal fungi abundance. Similarly, microbial carbon use efficiency was consistently correlated with elemental soil carbon and soil organic matter. Taken together our results show that Miscanthus improved soil biological properties across all disturbance levels, with increased microbial diversity, biomass, and carbon use efficiency over time. Miscanthus establishment also augmented bacterial and fungal taxa involved in soil carbon cycling and plant growth promotion. These enhancements in the soil microbiome composition and carbon use efficiency were associated with increased soil organic matter across all sites. Regardless of the disturbance levels, Miscanthus acted as an ecosystem engineer, consistently improving soil microbial diversity and activity. Consequently, our findings indicate that Miscanthus cultivation stimulates microbial communities, enhancing soil carbon cycling efficiency and increasing soil organic matter, thereby improving soil chemical and biological characteristics even on highly disturbed lands. Nutrient Addition and Bioaugmentation Greenhouse Experiment (Kane et al. 2022 GCB Bioenergy) For the first greenhouse experiment, we examined the effects of nutrient addition (organic or inorganic) and targeted bioaugmentation (inoculation with soil from an established Miscanthus stand) on Miscanthus growth in marginal soil. Soil was collected from marginal pasture land and distributed into experimental pots. Pots were assigned one of three nutrient treatments (none, inorganic, organic) and one of two bioaugmentation treatments, resulting in six treatments. Each treatment was replicated four times. Bioaugmentation soil was sourced from a mature Miscanthus stand on a reclaimed surface mine in Upshur County, WV. The inorganic amendment used 19-19-19 N-P-K fertilizer, while the organic amendment used composted dairy manure, matched to the nitrogen content of the inorganic treatment. Following 3 months of plant growth the carbon (C) content of root tissue varied by nutrient addition, with a marginally significant interaction between nutrient and bioaugmentation treatment. Root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhiza was significantly lowered by both types of nutrient addition regardless of bioaugmentation treatment. Linear models showed a significant negative relationship between mycorrhizal colonization and root C, and between root C and belowground plant biomass.The rate of microbial nitrogen fixation decreased with inorganic nutrient addition without bioaugmentation, and there was a significant negative relationship between nitrogen fixation rate and root C without bioaugmentation. Microbial carbon use efficiency was lowered by inorganic nutrient addition without bioaugmentation, with a negative linear relationship between carbon use efficiency and root C that waned with bioaugmentation. Taken together these findings indicate a crucial link between bioaugmentation and soil nutrient management, with significant implications for promoting productive bioenergy agroecosystems and positive environmental impacts on marginal lands. Specifically, bioaugmentation may help mitigate the adverse effects of fertilization on certain plant-microbe interactions. This insight is particularly useful for managing agroecosystems on marginal lands, where soil structure, nutrient levels, and microbial communities are less conducive to robust plant growth compared to fertile, arable land. Soil Fertility and Bioaugmentation Greenhouse Experiment ( Kane et al. 2024 App. Soil Ecol.) In a second greenhouse study, we investigated the impact of initial soil fertility and biofertilization on microbial communities and plant-microbe interactions during the early growth of Miscanthus. We applied two types of biofertilizers--one commercial and one derived from soil transplanted from an established Miscanthus stand--to plants growing in either low fertility soil from a degraded, un-reclaimed surface mine or in higher fertility soil from a pasture. The commercial biofertilizer increased belowground biomass in Miscanthus but neither biofertilizer treatment significantly affected microbial structure or function. This result was unexpected, as we hypothesized that soil transplanted from an established Miscanthus stand would have a greater impact on plant performance due to its ecological history and potential species-specific symbioses. The commercial biofertilizer, which contains Bacillus, Trichoderma, and Glomus, did increase Bacillus in the rhizosphere, possibly explaining its limited effect on belowground biomass. Our findings suggest that understanding biofertilizer effectiveness may require studying a wider range of biofertilizers over longer periods. These results align with other research showing that biofertilizer effects are complex and not easily predicted, particularly in non-sterile soils. Initial soil characteristics outweighed the effect of biofertilization on microbial abundance and function. Specifically, plant-microbe interactions and nitrogen cycling varied with soil fertility. In nitrogen-poor, low fertility soil, Miscanthus promoted more mycorrhizal fungi and higher rates of nitrogen fixation. In contrast, in the nitrogen-rich, high fertility soil, there were more ammonia oxidizers and increased nitrification rates. These findings supported our hypothesis that soil fertility influences plant-microbe interactions. Our study suggests that Miscanthus adjusts its interactions with microbial populations based on soil nitrogen availability, with mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria being particularly important in nitrogen-poor soils.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Morrissey E (Invited Seminar October 2023) Exploring the Big Impacts of Tiny Organisms. WVU Department of Biology Seminar Series, Morgantown WV
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Morrissey E (Invited Oral Presentation March 2023) Microbial Allies in Soil Health and Plant Productivity. West Virginia Master Gardeners Conference, Charleston WV
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Morrissey EM (Invited Seminar August 2023) The long slow march toward a greener future for West Virginia. Ohio County Public Library, People's University. Wheeling, WV.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Freedman, Z.B. (Oral Presentation 2023). Miscanthus x giganteus acts as an ecosystem engineer to increase soil C in Appalachian bioenergy agroecosystems. Soil Health Nexus Digital Caf�, Virtual
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Freedman, Z.B., J.L. Kane, and E.M. Morrissey. (Oral Presentation 2022). Miscanthus x giganteus acts as an ecosystem engineer to increase soil C in Appalachian bioenergy agroecosystems. Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Annual Mtg., Baltimore, MD
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Freedman, Z.B., J.L. Kane, and E.M. Morrissey. (poster and lightning talk 2022). Harnessing plant-soil-microbe interactions to promote sustainable bioenergy agroecosystems on historically mined lands across Appalachia, USA. World Congress of Soil Science, Glasgow, Scotland
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Freedman, Z.B., and C. Gross. (Oral 2023). Moving toward a carbon sequestration approach that recognizes and enhances soil biodiversity. ESA Annual Mtg., Portland, OR
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Freedman, Z.B., J. Kane, and E. Morrissey. (Oral 2022). Bioenergy agroecosystems as a sustainable post-mining land use in Appalachia, USA. U.S. Dept. of Energy, Bioenergy Role in Soil Carbon Storage Workshop, Virtual due to COVID-19
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Kane J.L., Daniels NK, Skousen JG, McDonald LM, Schartiger R, Dang C, Liseksi KB, Freedman ZB, Ridgeway J, Brzostek ER, Morrissey EM. 2023. Dynamic plant-microbe interactions mediate bioenergy crop productivity and sustainability on Appalachian marginal lands. WVU Biology Department, Morgantown WV. March 2023.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Kane J.L., Daniels NK, Skousen JG, McDonald LM, Schartiger RG, Freedman ZB, Morrissey EM. 2024. Bioenergy crop Miscanthus x giganteus acts as an ecosystem engineer to increase bacterial diversity and soil organic matter on marginal land. BIOGEOMON 24, San Juan, Puerto Rico. January 2024.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Kane JL, Schartiger RG, Ridgeway JR, Freedman ZB, Brzostek ER, Morrissey EM. 2024. Understanding the influence of nutrient amendments on soil carbon cycling via taxon-specific bacterial activity measurements. 2024 Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Long Beach, CA.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Kane, J.L., Liseski, K.B., Dang, C., Freedman, Z.B., Morrissey, E.M., 2024. Trade or scavenge? Miscanthus-microbiome interactions depend upon soil fertility. Applied Soil Ecology 196, 105289. doi:10.1016/j.apsoil.2024.105289
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Ridgeway, J., Kane, J., Morrissey, E., Starcher, H., Brzostek, E., 2024. Roots selectively decompose litter to mine nitrogen and build new soil carbon. Ecology Letters 27, e14331. doi:10.1111/ele.14331
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Kane, J.L., Schartiger, R.G., Daniels, N.K., Freedman, Z.B., McDonald, L.M., Skousen, J.G., Morrissey, E.M., 2023. Bioenergy crop Miscanthus x giganteus acts as an ecosystem engineer to increase bacterial diversity and soil organic matter on marginal land. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 186, 109178. doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2023.109178
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Kane, J.L., 2022. Cross-kingdom interactions shape soil biogeochemistry in natural and agricultural ecosystems (Doctoral dissertation, West Virginia University).
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Progress 05/01/21 to 04/30/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Our efforts reached a diverse cross section of target audiences including the scientific community, agricultural producers, government and industry scientist as well as community stakeholders via four presentations (listed under Products). See accomplishments section for additional detail. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided training opportunities for one PhD student, one MS student, and two undergraduate research assistants. The PhD student developed her presentation skills by presenting her work at multiple conferences, the MS student presented her research at one national conference. Further, the PhD student drafted and submitted a manuscript this reporting period gaining skills in data analysis and written science communication. Similarly, the MS student gained skills in data analysis and written science communication through the completion and successful defense her thesis. The undergraduates have gained laboratory skills (solution preparation, sample analysis, etc.) as well as field and greenhouse experience by helping with to maintain experiments and take yield measurements. One of the undergraduates participated in the "Summer Undergraduate Research Experience" program at WVU and conducted a small independent project that improved greenhouse experiment 2. The other undergraduate also helped with greenhouse experiment 2, and both are coauthors on the resulting manuscript. Additionally, the undergraduates participated research-oriented lab activities to enhance thier scientific thinking skills such as reading and discussing journal articles during lab meeting. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?During the last reporting period we drafted and submitted one scientific manuscript that will be publishing in the coming year. Additionally, the MS student wrote, defended, and submitted a thesis that is available electronically through the WVU library. Further we reached academic, industry, and government agency scientist and decision makers via three presentations at two national meetings (the Ecological Society of America, and the tri-societies meeting ( ASA, CSSA, SSSA). Lastly, we reached a regional audience of agricultural producers via presentation at the WVU organic farm field day. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period, we will complete data collection on the fertilization field experiment and preparethedata for publication. Additionally, we will perform an experiment using 13C enriched glucose to determine which microbial taxa are actively processing carbon in the rhizosphere of Miscanthus in relation to soil disturbance history (past mining activity) and fertilization regime. We hope to connect variation in taxon-specific microbial carbon assimilation with differences in carbon use efficiency across the fertilization treatments. The PhD student is expected to complete her dissertation and graduate in the next reporting period.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The overarching aim of this work is to determine how to best grow Miscanthus on marginal lands for optimal plant microbe interactions and soil health. With respect to the first two hypotheses during the last reported period we continued the field experiment and collected data on plant, microbiome, and soil parameters during the growing season of 2021 and measured Miscanthus yield in the fall of 2021. We have completed the sample analysis and are now analyzing the data and preparing manuscripts describing the results of the field study. With respect to the third objective regarding manipuation of the miscanthus microbiome, we completed two greenhouse experiments. In greenhouse experiment 1, we inoculated pots containing Miscanthus or no plant with either a commercial biofertilizer or a biofertilizer made by extracting microbes from soil from an established Miscanthus stand. These biofertilizers were tested in marginal soils with low (historically pasture) and high (past surface mining) levels of past disturbance. The biofertilizer increased the root biomass of Miscanthus in both low and high disturbance marginal soils. Additionally, Miscanthus altered microbial function relative to planted soilbut these impacts were dependent upon the soil disturbance history. Contrary to our expectation, biofertilizers did notaffect microbial activity, nor did theyincrease the relative abundance of the added microorganisms present in the commercial biofertilizer. In greenhouse experiment 2, we tested the individual and interactive effects of nutrient addition and bioaugmentation (i.e., the addition of microbial communities) on Miscanthus performance and microbiome function in marginal soil. For this study we used soil from a well established, productive miscanthus stand for bioaugmentation. We found that the effect of nutrient addition on Miscanthus biomass yield depended on nutrient addition type (i.e., organic or inorganic nutrients) and whether bioaugmentation was also applied. Some microbial functions, like free-living nitrogen fixation and carbon use efficiency, decreased under nutrient addition only in the absence of bioaugmentation. On the other hand, AMF colonization of roots decreased with fertilization regardless of bioaugmentation. Our results suggest that bioaugmentation may buffer the fertilization-driven weakening of certain plant-microbe interactions. This information may be particularly beneficial for managing agroecosystems on marginal lands where soil structure, nutrient contents, and microbial communities may be less favorable for robust plant growth as compared to fertile, arable land. The data for greenhouse experiment 2 was analyzed and submitted for publication during the reporting period. The data for greenhouse experiment one wasanalyzed and manuscript preparation is ongoing.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Kane J, Freedman Z, McDonald L, Skousen J, Morrissey E. (Oral - August
2021). Integrating the ecology of the soil microbiome into our understanding of bioproduct agroecosystem productivity and sustainability. Ecological Society of America.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Liseski K, Freedman Z, Morrissey E (Oral ⿿ August 2021). Effects of microbial inocula on soil nutrient cycling and the productivity of bioproduct crops in marginal soils. Ecological Society of America
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Kane J, Freedman Z, McDonald L, Skousen J, Morrissey E. (Oral ⿿ Nov 2021). Harnessing the Harnessing the Power of the Soil Microbiome to Enhance
Agroecosystem Sustainability. 2021 ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting,
Salt Lake City, UT
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Liseski, Kieran B., "Effects of biofertilizer on soil nutrient cycling and the productivity of bioproduct crops in marginal soils" (2021). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 10310.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/10310
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Kane, J. L., Robinson, M. C., Schartiger, R. G., Freedman, Z. B., McDonald, L. M., Skousen, J. G., & Morrissey, E. M. Nutrient management and bioaugmentation interactively shape plant?microbe interactions in Miscanthusÿ giganteus. GCB Bioenergy.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Robinson M.C. Kane J.L. Morrissey E.M. (Poster July 2021) Effects of Soil Transplant and Fertilization on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Colonization in Miscanthus. WVU Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Kane J.L. (Video Presentation August 2021) Microbial Communities in Miscanthus. WVU Organic Farm Field Day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4G1_9WvhH0
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Progress 05/01/20 to 04/30/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Our efforts reached target audiences including the scientific community and community stakeholders. During this reporting period, we published one manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal (academic audience). Results from the first two year of this project were presented at the Ecological Society of America conference in August of 2020. At the local/regional level, results from the first two years were presented at the West Virginia University Davis College Research Day in April of 2021. Additionally, we communicated our results thus far to a diverse community of scientists, educators, government regulators and private industry practitioners involved in land reclamation at the American society of Reclamation Sciences conference in October 2020. Changes/Problems:The award origionally only had one graduate student associated with the project. However, we were able to support a second graduate student with a teaching assistantship. This MS student is performing greenhouse experiment aimed at testing the efficacy of a commercial biofertilizer vs a soil slurry basedinnoculum on the productivity of Miscanthus. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided training opportunities for one PhD student, one MS student, and four undergraduate research assistants. The PhD student developed her presentation skills by presenting her work at WVU Davis College, the 2020 Ecological Society of America meeting, and the American Society for Reclamation Sciences. Further, the PhD student published a paper during this reporting period gaining skills in data analysis and written science communication. Both the PhD and MS student were involved in designing and initiating greenhouse experiments. The undergraduates have gained laboratory skills (solution preparation, sample analysis, etc) and participated research-oriented lab activities that encourage critical thinking such as reading and discussing journal articles during lab meeting. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We have published one scientific manuscript and given one regional and two national presentations at conferences as described in the products section. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period, we will complete the greenhouse experiments using microbial inocula to determine the potential to manipulate the miscanthus microbiome to improve plant performance and soil function. Additionally, we will continue work on the field experiment to collect the third year of samples. The graduate students will analyze and work toward preparing the data they have collected for publication. Additionally, the MS and PhD students will continue to present the most up-to-date findings of the project in local, regional, and national/international settings.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the reporting period (May 2020- April 2021) significant progress was made toward accomplishing the goals. A manuscript describing the factors that shape soil microbial community composition under bioenergy crop production on reclaimed lands was published in a respected journal (FEMS Microbiology Ecology). Additionally, we maintained and collected additional samples from the following the Miscanthus field plots established in 2019 on two West Virginia University research farms. Soils were sampled from all 64 plots at three times across the growing season. Samples were analyzed for soil pH, organic matter content, bioavailable carbon, ammonium and nitrate concentrations have been determined for all samples. Microbial function was measured in (mid-summer) by assessing soil respiration, microbial biomass carbon, as well as microbial carbon and nitrogen use efficiency. Whole community DNA was sequenced to characterize soil bacterial and fungal communities. Results of our work was communicated to target audiences at both regional and national conferences. To determine the protentional for bioaugmention to enhance miscanthus productivity on reclaimed marginal lands two greenhouse experiments were initiated during this reporting period.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kane JL, Morrissey EM, Skousen JG, Freedman ZB (2020) Soil microbial succession following surface mining is governed primarily by deterministic factors. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 96, 11
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kane JL, McDonald LM, Skousen JG, Morrissey EM, Freedman ZB (Oral-October 2020) Towards understanding the microbial mechanisms underlying the success of Miscanthus x giganteus on Appalachian marginal lands. American Society of Mining and Reclamation.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Kane J, Freedman Z, McDonald L, Skousen J, Morrissey E. (Oral April
2021). Integrating the ecology of the soil microbiome into our understanding of bioproduct agroecosystem productivity and sustainability. Davis College Graduate Student Research and Creative Scholarship Day
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kane JL, Morrissey EM, Skousen JG, Freedman ZB (Oral- August 2020) Soil microbial succession following surface mining is governed primarily by deterministic factors. Ecological Society of America
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Progress 05/01/19 to 04/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Our efforts reached target audiences spanning academia and local to regional farmers and citizens. During this reporting period, we submitted one manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal (academic audience). Results from Year 1 of this project are scheduled to be presented at the 2020 Ecological Society of America conference if it is held. At the local/regional level, results from year 1 was presented at the West Virginia University Davis College Research Day. A local and regional audience was also reached through popular media press of our project (WVU Today, 6/19/2019; Beckley (WV) Register Herald, 6/20/2019; WBOY (Clarksburg, WV NBC affiliate), 7/22/2019). Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided training opportunities for one PhD student and four undergraduate research assistants. The PhD student developed her presentation skills by presenting her work in a graduate student seminar, at WVU Davis College research day, and she had an abstract accepted to present at the 2020 Ecological Society of America meeting. One undergraduate student performed an independent study related to this project and presented her work at the WVU Undergraduate Research Day. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?This project received regional media coverage from the Beckley (WV) Register-Herald on 6/20/2019 and from WBOY (Clarksburg, WV NBC affiliate) on 7/22/2019. The PI and graduate student also attended a meeting of the FIRST2 Network, which is an NSF-ADVANCE funded project to improve rural first-generation college student success in WV. Through this meeting and network, our project hired two first generation students as research assistants. Through this network our project was shared with students and educators spanning K-12 and higher education across WV. The PhD student presented findings from her work in a graduate student seminar, at WVU Davis College research day, and she had an abstract accepted to present at the 2020 Ecological Society of America meeting. She also submitted an initial analysis of microbiome composition in reference surface-mined sites for publication in a peer-reviewed journal in 4/2020. The manuscript is currently in review. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period, we intend to begin the greenhouse experiment using microbial inocula that will be used to test hypothesis 3. Further, soil physical and chemical parameters as well as microbial composition and C- and N-cycling associated function will be assessed in year 2 of the field experiment. Data will be analyzed to determine the presence of treatment effects in year 2 as well as for differences in treatment responses between years 1 and 2. Field plots will be harvested in Winter, 2020 and biomass removed in preparation for year 3. The PhD student will continue to present the most up-to-date findings of the project in local, regional, and national/international settings. We have not yet experienced any challenges that would significantly impact meeting the project goals and do not foresee any in the next reporting period, besides the novel coronavirus of course.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A PhD student was recruited and began May 15, 2019. In May 2019, the field plots were secured, glyphosate was applied to kill all existing vegetation, and the soil was tilled prior to amendment application and planting. Upon planting in late May 2019, 1,600 Miscanthus x giganteus rhizomes were planted across 4 sets of 16 plots at two West Virginia University research farms. Soils were sampled from all 64 plots pre-treatment initiation as well as an additional three times across the growing season. To date, soil pH, organic matter content, bioavailable carbon, ammonium and nitrate concentrations have been determined for all samples. Additionally, soil respiration, microbial biomass carbon, as well as microbial carbon and nitrogen use efficiency have been determined. DNA sequences have also been obtained for year 1 microbiome assessment. The graduate student submitted an abstract (accepted) to present her work at the 2020 Ecological Society of America Conference in Salt Lake City, UT. She also submitted an initial analysis of microbiome composition in reference surface-mined sites for publication in a peer-reviewed journal in 4/2020. The manuscript is currently in review. Lastly, to facilitate the test of hypothesis 3, greenhouse space was secured and microbial inoculants were prepared. It is expected that the greenhouse experiment to test hypothesis 3 will begin when university research activities resume.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kane, J., E. M. Morrissey, J. Skousen and Z. B. Freedman. (In Review) Soil microbial succession following surface mining is governed primarily by deterministic factors.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kane, J., E. M. Morrissey, J. Skousen and Z. B. Freedman. Soil microbial succession following surface mining disturbance is governed primarily by environmental conditions
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