Plant-soil feedbacks providing economic and environmental benefits

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Plants interact with soil in a variety of ways that result in both positive and negative feedbacks. For example, the roots of some plants may stimulate soil microbes, which in turn can lead to higher soil nutrient availability and faster growth rates for these plants (i.e., positive feedback). Alternatively, some fast-growing plants may deplete soil nutrient reserves, thereby slowing down their own rate of growth and that of their neighbours (i.e., negative feedback). My research program strives to understand the underlying mechanisms controlling plant-soil feedbacks such as these. Results can be exploited to improve the production of commercially-valued crops and woody biomass, as well as to reduce some of the associated environmental impacts. Specifically, over the next five years my research program will study (i) how plants and soil microbes compete for nutrients; (ii) how plant-produced chemicals are stimulated by, or affect, soil conditions; (iii) the relationship between plant diversity and soil microbial functions; (iv) greenhouse gas emissions from soil. Results will be relevant and applicable to the management of renewable resources, to the development of policy on biodiversity issues, and to provide guidelines for the certification of production practices. The beneficiaries of this research program are stakeholders in the Canadian agriculture and forest industries, two major drivers of our national economy, as well as environmentally-conscious Canadians.