We are working to gain a better understanding of the influence of management, cultivar, and site-specific factors (G×E×M) on crop fitness. Specifically, we are:

  1. Quantifying dynamic soil properties and their relationship with root architecture and fine root characteristics.
  2. Contrasting the abundance and community structure of plant growth promoting rhizoassociates under maize hybrids bred on low-input organic and high-input conventional programs.
  3. Examining the dynamics of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and enzymatic activity in maize grown under contrasting N fertility conditions.