HUNTING FOR HEALTHY SOILS: ORGANIC MANAGEMENT OF SOIL MICRO-PREDATORS FOR PATHOGEN CONTROL

Micro-predators are an essential part of healthy organic soils, but the impact of organic managementon most predators is unknown. This project will investigate how organic matter amendments affectsoil micro-predator diversity to promote crop health. Aligned with the Organic Agriculture Researchand Extension Initiative (OREI) 2024 priorities 1, 4, 5, and 8, it focuses on critical aspects of organicfarming, including disease management and soil health, as well as development of educationalmaterials. The primary goal is to enhance organic growers' understanding of the function of soilmicropredator communities by examining the interactions between soil organic matter, microbiomes,and plant health. To accomplish this goal, our multidisciplinary team will:- Identify organic management and soil effects on predator function by conducting a "predator-ome" and soil health survey across 12 organic tomato farms in four states (Obj. 1).- Discover how different types of organic soil amendments support predator function and pathogensuppressiveness by conducting controlled microcosm experiments (Obj. 2).- Confirm and apply new knowledge of predator function by developing predator-based soilinoculants and grower testing kits (Obj. 3).- Educate growers and students about the role of soil predators through extension and curricularactivities (Obj. 4).This integrated approach of research, teaching, and outreach aims to provide actionable insights fororganic farmers, promoting crop productivity and sustainable soil health management. The project'sdesign reflects the needs of organic farmers identified in our OREI planning grant surveys andworkshops, ensuring its relevance and potential impact in the organic farming community