Student Info
Name: Sean Allen
Term: Summer
Credits: 12
Title: Demystifying the Rhizosphere
Contact Info
Contract mode:
Sponsor name: David Muehleisen
Internship Info (if applicable):
Internship hours/wk:
Internship credits:
Academic credits:
Field Supervisor
Field supervisor:
Title:
Organization:
Subcontractor
Name: Don Grower
Title: Owner of Endicott Farm
Organization: Endicott Farm
Program Description
The contract will further an understanding of the soil rhizosphere, discovering techniques for enriching the health of soils through the promotion of mycorrhizae and beneficial soil bacterium in a no-till system. Research will cover soil science, and draw on information to provide practical application for small scale sustainable farmers to improve their soil health through the use of these techniques. Studies will include the research on how to successfully inoculate and promote the growth and utilization of mycorrhizae in soils. The research will look at techniques used to monitor the growth of mycorrhizae, and understand soil conditions that promote this mutualistic relationship between fungi and plants. Research will also look at how soil bacteria contribute to the growth of vegetable crops, and how to create ideal soil conditions for the growth of healthy bacterial soil cultures. Methods that promote healthy bacterial growth in soils, like compost teas will be looked at. Studies will answer the question of what makes soils good for growth, and how to measure that. Research will include the dynamics behind creating good soil conditions, through the use of compost, mineralization, crop rotation, and ideal plant selections. While collaborating with subcontractors, and looking at common practices on small organic farms, research will address what methods are currently used to plan for the optimum health of soils, and look at what could be done to improve these practices for small farmers. Studies will cover the benefits of a no-till system, understanding what techniques are used to enhance this system for optimum soil health and crop output.
Studies will be guided by the following texts.
Organic mushroom farming and mycoremediation : simple to advanced and experimental techniques for indoor and outdoor cultivation / Tradd Cotter.
Mycorrhizas : anatomy and cell biology / R. Larry Peterson, Hugues B. Massicotte, Lewis H. Melville.
Fungi and allied organisms / P.D. Sharma.
Radical mycology : a treatise on seeing & working with fungi / Peter McCoy.
Mycorrhizal ecology / M.G.A. van der Heijden, I.R. Sanders (eds.).
Mycorrhizal symbiosis / Sally E. Smith and David J. Read.
The Farm as Ecosystem Jerry Brutenelli
| Learning objective | Activity | Deliverable |
| Understand the Rhizosphere, and how to utilize mycorrhiza and beneficial soil bacteria in a no-till system | Research soils through text, film, and online resources. | An instructional blog outlining soil concepts and advising farmers on how to utilize mycorrhiza and beneficial soil bacterium in a no-till system. |
Evaluation of Work
- Narrative evaluations from field supervisor and/or subcontractor
- Narrative mid-quarter –
At the beginning of the quarter I was excited about Mycorrhizae and beneficial bacteria in the rhizosphere. My first two blogs focused on an introduction to mycorrhizae. When I started looking at The farm as Ecosystem, I wanted to look at mineralization and geological factors, that combine with biological factors to get a integral viewpoint on soil health. I plan to complete another blog on mineralization in regards to micronutrients. Following blogs will focus on a continued look at soil fungi and bacteria, including compost teas, and suggested techniques and application for the practical use of these biological aspects. At this point I need to interview my sponsor in regards to what current techniques are being used at the Endicott farm, and get an idea of what could be incorporated to improve soil health. I plan to use that information as a guide for recommending additions to other small, organic farms. I plan on beginning my research paper so I can synthesize information I’ve found for my blog, and add it to the research, with more in depth information in paper format.
- final self-evaluations
- WordPress ePortfolio