Novel approaches for assessing biological indicators of soil health

Lead Applicant: Kari Dunfield

Research Priority: Soil Health

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2021/2022

Research Centre: Ontario Crops Research Centre - Elora & Ridgetown

Research Summary: Soil health is increasingly recognized as a critical player in the fight against climate change, leading to mounting interest in research. However, there is a lack of an accurate, validated biological indicator of soil health. This study will identify microbial groups that are predictors of soil health and assess the impact of sustainable management practices on soil biology. Farmers, crop advisors and government policy makers will benefit from this research through improved methods of assessing soil health and interpretations of changes in soil biological communities.