The focal point of my PhD research is an integrated cover cropping experiment. Within this experiment I am investigating how different cover cropping practices influence soil biological processes mediated by soil microarthropods, and how that ultimately impacts crop production. This project explores how the relationships between nitrogen cycling, plant pathogens, and weed competition affect crop production using structural equation modelling.
Further developing our understanding of how soil microarthropod abundance and diversity impacts nitrogen uptake and allocation in plants.
Investigating the spatial dynamics of plant pathogen-soil microarthropod interactions.
Exploring the effects of soil microarthropods on plant community assemblage.