Sarah C. Castle
Research Associate
USDA - ARS
Department of Soil, Water, and Climate
University of Minnesota
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Plant diversity impacts on soil carbon and microbial communities
Understanding the factors that contribute to resilient, multi-functional plant microbiomes is an emerging goal of agroecological research. Plant diversity is perceived to be an important driver of soil microbial communities, but the specific mechanisms are relatively unknown. In agricultural and natural prairies, I am researching how soil organic matter quantity and quality contribute to the number of available niches for microorganisms, which may have important implications for microbial structure, microbial function, and microbe-microbe interactions.
Harnessing microbiomes to support resilient cropping systems
In agricultural systems, soil microorganisms are important drivers nutrient availability, crop health, and productivity. At long-term agricultural research sites, I am researching how cropping system diversity and management strategies (nitrogen fertilization and cover cropping) contribute to soil microbial community assembly and function regionally across the upper Midwest.
Microbial community change during primary succession
Following major disturbances that remove topsoil, microorganisms quickly colonize and begin the long process of soil formation by weathering minerals, decomposing organic matter, and mineralizing nutrients responsible for sustaining primary productivity. Using recently deglaciated landscapes as a model system, my research explores whether there are general patterns to microbial community succession across retreating glaciers. Additionally, my research explores the little known role of interactions between developing plant communities and soil biota during early succession.
