EverGreen Agriculture for Sustainable Intensification EverGreen Agriculture for Sustainable Intensification and Resilience in the African Drylandsand Resilience in the African Drylands

Ibrahima Diedhiou, Ibrahima Diedhiou, University of Thies, SenegalUniversity of Thies, Senegal

Richard P. Dick, Richard P. Dick, Ohio State University, USAOhio State University, USA

The Missing LinkThe Missing Link

Shrub rhizospheres: Shrub rhizospheres: Delivering hydrological & microbial services Delivering hydrological & microbial services

to crops in the Sahelto crops in the Sahel

• Overgrazing

• Cropping intensification and disturbance

Landscape Landscape ExploitationExploitation

• Scavenging for fuelScavenging for fuel• Increasing rural and urbanIncreasing rural and urban populations increasespopulations increases demands for naturaldemands for natural resources and foodresources and food

Encroachment of Desert

Major Challenges for the Sahel• Low and erratic rainfall

• Small holder farmers are risk adverse

• Infrastructure to deliver inputs is limiting/not economical

• Degraded landscapes

• Without organic inputs to soils – yields decline even with adequate external inputs

• Limited availability of organic resources

A Logical Solution – Intercropping with local shrubs

Acacia albida

3 m3 m

Unrecognized and Unmanaged Resource:Dominant Native Shrubs in Farmers’ Fields

1m

Northern region, typically sandy Mean annual rainfall 300 mm Mean annual temperature 30 oC

Southern region, higher clay content Mean annual rainfall 750 mm Mean annual temperature 32oC

Guiera senegalensisPiliostigma reticulatum

Guiera senegalensisGuiera senegalensis - - MaliMali

Guiera senegalensisGuiera senegalensis - MaliMali

Coppicing shrubsCoppicing shrubs

Piliostigma reticulatum Rainy season peanut field

G. Senegalensis and P. reticulatum are found in farmers’ fields between < 200 to ~ 1200 mm from Senegal to Niger

FUNDING PHASE I USAID – Preliminary StudyUS National Science Foundation ($1.2 mil) 1999 to 2010

4 African PhD; 2 African post docsPartners – OSU, ISRA

PHASE II (current)US National Science Foundation ($2.6 mil)– 2011 to 2016

3 US PhD students; 2 US MS students; 2 African post docs

Partners – OSU, ISRA, IRD

Research CoordinatorDr. Ibrahima DiedhiouProfessor, Univ of Thies

Former Post doc - Plant ecology

Sire Diedhiou, SenegalSoil microbiology

Ekwe Dossa, TogoSoil chemistryNutrient cycling

Abel Lufafa Uganda

Landscape carbon dynamics

Fred Kizito, UgandaHydrology/soil physics

PhD Students

Astou Sene, ISRASocio-economics

Coordinator

OutcomesOutcomes::1) Developed allometric equations to estimate biomass 1) Developed allometric equations to estimate biomass 2) Standing shrub C stocks significantly greater than:2) Standing shrub C stocks significantly greater than: - village level animal manure production- village level animal manure production - litter tree fall - litter tree fall - crop residues – all peanut for fodder; millet grazed- crop residues – all peanut for fodder; millet grazed3) Three journal papers 3) Three journal papers ((Lufafa et al., 2008a; 2008b; 2009)Lufafa et al., 2008a; 2008b; 2009)

- - Methods: Methods:

- Landscape and field survey studies, - Landscape and field survey studies, - GIS- GIS- remote sensing- remote sensing- Century model- Century model

Landscape Biomass Distribution and ShrubsInvestigators: A. Lufafa (PhD student), S. Samba,

M. Khouma, R. Dick J. Noller (Oregon State University)

Biomass of native shrubs in farmers’ fields of Senegal at 200-400 shrubs/ha (Lufafa et al. 2008) (value in parethesis is at optimized 1200 shrubs/ha)

Shrub Species Above ground Below ground

Mg ha-1

G. senegalensis 0.83 (2.49) 2.2 (6.6)

P. reticulatum 0.30 (0.90) 1.98 (5.94)

Manure (Badiane et al, 2000)

0.09 5% turnover of GS roots = 0.099 Mg ha-1

Water RelationsWater Relations

Outcomes:Outcomes: - Discovered hydraulic lift- Discovered hydraulic lift - Recharges groundwater in rainy season- Recharges groundwater in rainy season - No competition for water- No competition for water - Indications – assists crops during drought- Indications – assists crops during drought periods (currently under investigationperiods (currently under investigation - Changes paradigm of temporal dynamics of- Changes paradigm of temporal dynamics of biogeochimical and biological processes biogeochimical and biological processes of dry environmentsof dry environments - Three journal papers - Three journal papers (Kizito et al 2006. 2007,2012)(Kizito et al 2006. 2007,2012)

Moist subsoilMoist subsoil

Movement of water to adjacent plantsMovement of water to adjacent plants

Part 2:Water Balance StudiesPart 2:Water Balance StudiesInvestigators: F. Kizito (PhD Student), M. Sene, R. DickInvestigators: F. Kizito (PhD Student), M. Sene, R. Dick

M. Dragila (Oregon State University)M. Dragila (Oregon State University)

Shrub sap flow reversals

8 pm8 am8 am8 pm

8 pm

Day of year, 2004171.0 171.5 172.0 172.5 173.0

Sap

vel

ocit

y (c

m h

r-1)

-0.08

-0.06

-0.04

-0.02

0.00

0.02

0.04

VP

D (k

Pa)

0

1

2

3

4

Lat eral root Tap root Vapor pressure deficit

Shrub impact on water balance

P = Precipitation

GIN = Groundwater root uptake

ET = Evapotranspiration

DP = Deep percolation

ΔSW = Change in soil

water storage

WATER TABLE

ETETPP

ΔΔSWSW

GGinin

DPDP

Investigators: S. Diedhiou (PhD student), Investigators: S. Diedhiou (PhD student), OutcomesOutcomes A. Badiane, R. Dick A. Badiane, R. Dick Elevated microbial activity & diversity; maintains in dry seasonElevated microbial activity & diversity; maintains in dry season

• Promotes mineralization of N and P year aroundPromotes mineralization of N and P year around• Indications – Harbors beneficial plant promoting microorganismsIndications – Harbors beneficial plant promoting microorganisms• Could improve plant growth (Could improve plant growth (free living N2 fixersfree living N2 fixers, hormones), hormones)

(under investigation)(under investigation)•> 80 % of shrub residues decomposed in 8 months> 80 % of shrub residues decomposed in 8 months• Residue beneath shrubs has greater rates of decomposition Residue beneath shrubs has greater rates of decomposition than soil outside the influence of the shrubthan soil outside the influence of the shrub• Three journal articles (Diedhiou et al 2009,2013; 2014-submitted)Three journal articles (Diedhiou et al 2009,2013; 2014-submitted)

Methods – nucleic acid and PLFA profiling, enzyme activityMethods – nucleic acid and PLFA profiling, enzyme activity

Part 3: Soil Biology and Carbon CyclingPart 3: Soil Biology and Carbon Cycling

0 1 2 3 40

20

40

60

80

100

Wet season

Distance from Center of Shrub (R=canopy radius)Center R/2 1 R 2 RM

icro

bia

l B

iom

ass

C (

µg

g-

1 )

Dry season

Rhizosphere soil

Non-rhizospheresoil

Dry season

Wet season

Soil Microbial Biomass C (incubation-fumigation) (0-20 cm depth) in the Wet and Dry Season of P. reticulatum (n=3).

Investigators: E. Dossa, M. Khouma, R. DickInvestigators: E. Dossa, M. Khouma, R. Dick

Long-term Field Studies (started 03)Long-term Field Studies (started 03)1.1. G. senegalensisG. senegalensis X Fertilizer Rate (Bambey ~500 mm) X Fertilizer Rate (Bambey ~500 mm)2.2. P. reticulatumP. reticulatum X Fertilizer Rate (Nioro ~1000 mm) X Fertilizer Rate (Nioro ~1000 mm)3.3. Two Shrub Species’ Residue X Fertilizer Rate (Bambey)Two Shrub Species’ Residue X Fertilizer Rate (Bambey)

Lab Incubation StudiesLab Incubation Studies1.1. N and P Mineralization from Shrub Residues (leaching)N and P Mineralization from Shrub Residues (leaching)2.2. Impact of Shrub Residues on P Sorption/DesorptionImpact of Shrub Residues on P Sorption/Desorption

Part 4: N and P Cycling/Fertilizer Management Part 4: N and P Cycling/Fertilizer Management of Millet and Peanut Summer Cropsof Millet and Peanut Summer Crops

G. SenegalensisG. Senegalensis3 Mg dry stem+leaves ha3 Mg dry stem+leaves ha-1-1

P. reticulatumP. reticulatum3 Mg dry stem+leaves ha3 Mg dry stem+leaves ha-1-1

Shrub Biomass Study – Shrub Biomass Study – with out shrub plant presentwith out shrub plant present Factorial:Factorial: 0, 1.5 or 3 Mg dry biomass ha0, 1.5 or 3 Mg dry biomass ha-1-1

0, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 Recommended Fertilizer Rate0, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 Recommended Fertilizer Rate

Conclusion – Does not interfere with crop establishment or growthConclusion – Does not interfere with crop establishment or growth

Effect of Shrub Residue (absence of shrub plant) and rate of fertilizer in on Crop Yields in Senegal.

‡Values within columns followed by the same superscript letter are not significantly different at P <0.05

Residue Treatment Rate ha-1 2004 Peanut

2005 Millet

2006 Peanut 2007 Millet

--------------------------------------------kg ha-1---------------------------------------

Control No residue 816a 537a 712b 1197c

G. senegalensis Biomass

1.5 Mg 766a 664a 912b 1296c

G. senegalensis Biomass

3.0 Mg 857a 755a 1116a 1609a

P. ReticulatumBiomass

1.5 Mg 615a 583a 908b 1385b

P. ReticulatumBiomass

3.0 Mg 691a 588a 1116a 1479b

NS NS P<0.05 P<0.05

PlusPlusShrubShrub

Guiera senegalensisGuiera senegalensis

MinusMinusShrubShrub

Ekwe DossaEkwe Dossa

N and P CyclingN and P CyclingPhD CandidatePhD Candidate

Shrub X Fertilizer Rate (Bambey ~500 mm)Shrub X Fertilizer Rate (Bambey ~500 mm)

Factorial:Factorial: 1) + and - Shrub1) + and - Shrub 2) 0, 0.5, or 1.0 2) 0, 0.5, or 1.0 Rec. Fert. RateRec. Fert. Rate

†Rate Shrub No shrub Shrub Increase

Shrub No shrub Shrub Increase

------------ kg ha--1------------- % ---------- kg ha-1 ----------- % 2004 season (Arachis hypogaea) 2005 season (Pennissetum glaucum) 0 190a† 78b 143 218a 11a 1818

0.5 135a 103a 32 359a 148b 142 1.0 153a 116a 36 422a 278b 52 1.5 203a 91b 123 605a 503a 20

Mean 170a 97b 400a 260b 2006 season (Arachis hypogaea) 2007 season (Pennissetum glaucum) 0 384a 273b 41

197a 6b 3183

0.5 542a 449b 21 403a 85b 374

1.0 556a 579a -4 378a 200b 89 1.5 708a 532b 33

622a 174b 257

Mean 547a 458b

400a 116b

Effect of shrub (G. senegalensis) and rate of fertilizer on Crop Yields in the Peanut Basin, Senegal.

‡Values within columns followed by the same superscript letter are not significantly different at P <0.05

†Fertilizer rate is 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 the recommended NPK rates appropriate for each crop.

(Dossa et al. Agronomy J. 2012)

Phase IIPhase IIUS National Science Foundation GrantUS National Science Foundation GrantRhizosphere Microbiology & HydrologyRhizosphere Microbiology & Hydrology

ThemesThemes Water relationsWater relations Beneficial microorganisms and biodiversityBeneficial microorganisms and biodiversity Mycorrhizal fungiMycorrhizal fungi Nitrogen and diazotrophsNitrogen and diazotrophs

ApproachApproachIntensive hydrology instrumentation (soil & plants) Intensive hydrology instrumentation (soil & plants) Metagenomics – deep sequencingMetagenomics – deep sequencing

Stable Isotopic probing and microbial communityStable Isotopic probing and microbial community

profilingprofiling Field, mescosms, and lab experimentationField, mescosms, and lab experimentation

Mesocosm Study: Isolating microbial responses to hydraulic redistribution in Mesocosm Study: Isolating microbial responses to hydraulic redistribution in

rhizo- vs. mycorrhizo-spheresrhizo- vs. mycorrhizo-spheres. . G. senegalensisG. senegalensis

MilletMillet

Perforated Perforated 35 35 mm stainless steel sheet stainless steel sheet coated with PTFEcoated with PTFE

tap root chambertap root chamber

water containerwater container

15 15 m air gapm air gap

mycorrhizae mycorrhizae fungifungi

75 cm75 cm

Root Root chamberchamber

Investigation of Mycorrhizal Hyphal Connections from Shrub to Millet

Mescosm Study Field Study

Millet under water stress

Intact microcosm Turned microcosm

Hyphal connections

ConclusionsShrubs as Resource Islands

Carbon Inputs and C Sequestration PotentialShrubs are the highest source of C in farmers’ fields.Adoption of non-thermal management would significantly increase C sequestration in the Sahel.Allometric equations that utilize easily measured shrub properties provide reasonable estimates.

HydrologyShrubs enhance infiltration and ground water recharge.Hydraulic redistribution is occurring due to shrubs and is seasonally dependent.Shrubs are non-competitive with crops for water.Coppicing/Sink reduction seems to increase HR

Conclusions (continued) Shrubs as Resource Islands

Soil BiologyShrub rhizosphere maintains larger and more active microbial community.Hydraulic redistribution maintains microbial community in dry season.Decomposition rates of shrub residue are rapid

Crop Productivity and Nutrient CyclingPresence of shrubs have increased yields substantially on G. senegalensisIncorporation of shrub residues after two years increased crop yields.Shrub increases N availability

Scientifically ValidatedDiack, M., M. Sene, A. N. Badiane, M. Diatta, and R. P. Dick. 2000. Decomposition of a native shrub

(Piliostigma reticulatum) litter in soils of Semiarid Senegal. J. of Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation 14(3):205-218.

Iyamuremye, F., V. Gewin, R.P. Dick, M.Diack, M.Sene, A.N. Badiane, and M. Diatta. 2000. Carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus mineralization of agroforestry plant residues in soils of Senegal. J. of Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation 14:359-371.

Badiane, A.N., A. Faye, C.F. Yamoah, and R.P. Dick. 2002. Compost and mineral fertilizers for millet production by farmers in semi-arid Senegal. Biol. Ag. Hort. 19:219-230.

Kizito, M. I. Dragila, R. Brooks, M. Senè, M. Diop, R. Meinzer, A. Lufafa, I. Diedhiou, R. P. Dick. 2009. Hydraulic redistributiony two semi-arid shrubs: Implications on agro-ecosystems. J. Arid Environments (in press)

Lufafa, A., I. Diédhiou, S. Ndiaye, M. Séné, M. Khouma, F. Kizito, R.P. Dick, and J.S. Noller. 2008. Carbon stocks and patterns in native shrub communities of Sénégal’s Peanut Basin. Geoderma 146: 75-82

Kizito, F., M. Dragila, M. Sène, A. Lufafa, I. Diedhiou, E Dossa, R.P Dick, M Khouma, A. Badiane, and S. Ndiaye. 2006. Seasonal soil water variation and root dynamics among two semi-arid shrubs coexisting with Pearl millet in Senegal, West Africa. J. of Arid Environments 67:436.

Lufafa, A., Wright, D., Bolte, J., Diédhiou, I., Khouma, M., Kizito, F., Dick, R.P., Noller, J.S., 2008. Regional carbon stocks and dynamics in native woody shrub communities of Senegal’s Peanut Basin. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 128:1–11.

Kizito, F., M. Senè, M. I. Dragila, A. Lufafa, I. Diedhiou, E. Dossa, R. Cuenca, J. Selker, R. P. Dick. 2007. Soil water balance of annual crop-native shrub systems in Senegal’s Peanut Basin. Ag. Water Management 90:137 – 148.

Dossa, E.L. M. Khouma, I. Diedhiou, M. Sene, F. Kizito, A.N. Badiane, S.A.N. Samba, and R.P. Dick. 2009. Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization potential of semiarid Sahelian soils amended with native shrub residues Geoderma 148:251–260

Dossa .E. L., J. Baham, M. Khouma, M. Sene, F. Kizito, R.P. Dick. 2009. Phosphorus Sorption and Desorption in Semiarid Soils of Senegal Amended with Native Shrub Residues Soil Science 173:669-682.

Publications (continued)Lufafa, A.; Diedhiou, I.; Ndiaye, N.A.S.; Sene, M.; Kizito, F.; Dick, R.P.; Noller, J.S. Allometric

relationships and peak-season community biomass stocks of native shrubs in Senegal's Peanut Basin. Journal of Arid Environments73:260-266.

Diedhiou, S., A.N. Badiane, I. Diedhiou, M. Khoum, A.N.S Samba, M. Sène and R.P. Dick. 2009. Succession of Soil Microbial Communities during Decomposition of Native Shrub Litter of Semi-Arid Senegal. Pedobiologia 52:273—286.

Dossa , E.L.,S. Diedhiou & J. E. Compton, K. B. Assigbetse & R. P. Dick. 2010. Spatial patterns of P fractions and chemical properties in soils of two native shrub communities in Senegal. Plant Soil 327:185–198

Kizito, F., M. I. Dragila, M. Senè, R. J. Brooks, F. C. Meinzer, I. Diedhiou, M. Diouf,, A. Lufafa, R.P. Dick, J. Selker, R. H Cuenca. 2012. Hydraulic Redistribution by Two Semi-arid Shrub Species: Implications for Sahelian Agro-ecosystems. J. Aird Environments. (in press).

Dossa, E.L. M. Khouma, I. Diedhiou, M. Sene, F. Kizito, A.N. Badiane, S.A.N. Samba, and R.P. Dick. 20012. Crop Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in a Shrub (Guiera senegalensis) -Based Farming System of the Sahel. Aronomy J. 104:1255–1264.

S. Diedhiou1, E.L. Dossa, A.N. Badiane, K.B. Assigbetsee4, I. Diedhiou5, N.A.S. Ndiaye5, M. Khouma, M. Sène and R.P. Dick. 2012. Microbiology and Macrofaunal Activity in Soil beneath Shrub Canopies during Residue Decomposition in Agroecosystems of the Sahel. Soil Science Society of America J. (in press).

Dossa, E.L. I. Diedhiou, M. Khouma,, M. Sene, A.N. Badiane, S.A.Ndiaye, K.B. Assigbetse, S. Sall, A. Lufafa, F. Kizito, S. Diedhiou, and R.P. Dick, and J. Saxena 2012. Crop productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in a Shrub (Piliostigma reticulatum) -Based Farming System of The Sahel. Agronomy J. (submitted).

The Rationale and Expected Impacts

of Adopting Optimized Shrub- Crop Systems:• Potentially huge impact on > 15 million hectares• Uses a local resource smallholder farmers already know• Low cost to implement & maintain system – Stand alone• Will remediate landscapes & soils, & recharge groundwater• Buffer climate change for agroecosystems of the Sahel• Will increase crop productivity • Will improve ability for resilience to drought years• Expect to reduce need for N fertilizer• Increase nutrient and water use efficiency• Relatively short time-frame to realize benefits; 2 to 5 years

Where to go from here?1. Establish participatory shrub-intercropped observatory across the Sahel

- Demonstrate and pilot test optimized, non-thermal shrub management in farmers’ fields- Monitor socio-economic, ecological, and edaphic response to optimized shrub-intercropping under farmer management.- Determine yield response and drought resistance potential of optimized shrub-intercropping under farmer management- Conduct outreach campaigns on optimized shrub-intercropping

2. Applied Agronomy- Set up long-term research sites (LTRS): Shrub density and spacing; fertilizer rate; shrub residue rate study.- Determine optimal rates and shrub management for C sequestration at LTRS- Determine crop response and drought resistance at LTRS

3. Basic Research - Initiate breeding program of major dryland crops for optimized shrub-intercropping

- In-depth study of physiology and ecology of shrub-crop mycorrhizal fungal relationships – in order to enhance nutrient and water relation for crops- In-depth study of beneficial microorganisms optimized shrub-intercropping – e.g. diversity, plant growth promoters, N fixation (15N2 fixation of free living microorganism? 15N2-DNA-stable isotope probing ), nutrient release

Questions??

Objective 1

Determine effect of hydraulic lift (HL) by shrubs on water relations of crops and microbial community dynamics.

Objective 2Identify and collect microorganisms that respond to

hydraulic redistribution crops across seasons and rainfall regimes of the Sahel.

Objective 3Determine the potential of shrub rhizospheres to

harbor diazotrophs and stimulate N fixation.

Phase II – NSF PIREConceptual Framework and Questions to be Answered

The shrub in the Sahelian agricultural fields acts as “mother” plant for associated crops

1. Confirm that hydraulically lifted water can be transferred to adjacent crops. (deuterium tracking).

2. Can shrubs aid crops through drought periods? (controlled field irrigation experiment)

3. Does the presence of shrub roots alter the microbial diversity (including beneficials) of crop rhizosphere? (metagenomics and PLFA profiling)

Phase II – NSF PIRE (continued)

Conceptual Framework and Questions to be Answered4. Do shrub roots promote arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in

crops? (nucleic acid analysis and root staining)

5. Do arbuscular mycorrhizal hyphae transfer N and water from shrub roots to millet plants? (root barriers in mescosm study)

6. Can N be transferred from shrub roots to millet? (15N tracking – mescosm)

7. Do shrub root systems harbor and promote diazotrophs and increase abundance in millet roots (endophytes) or millet rhizosphere soil? (nifH gene analysis)

8. What is the rate of 15N2 fixation of free living microorganism?

9. 15N2-DNA-stable isotope probing to estimate free living diazotrophic microorganisms in shrub-crop rhizosphere soil.

Stem from mother plantStem from mother plant

New seedling growthNew seedling growth

Dr. Ibrahima DiedhiouDr. Ibrahima Diedhiou

Cooperating Cooperating FarmerFarmer

Shrub ReproductionShrub Reproduction

PLFA Results PLFA Results Variance explainedVariance explained (PCA): 64%(PCA): 64%

Correlation with Axis 1Correlation with Axis 1

Fungi,Fungi, 18:218:2ωω6c (0.89)6c (0.89) Actinomycètes, Actinomycètes, 10Me 18:0 (0.86) 10Me 18:0 (0.86)

15:0 3OH (0.85)15:0 3OH (0.85) Rhizospheric effect (p<0.001)Rhizospheric effect (p<0.001) Seasonal effect (p<0.02)Seasonal effect (p<0.02)

PLFA

Axis 1

Axi

s 2

Rainy season Dry seasonRhizosphere Bulk Non-rhizosphere

P. reticulatum : red colorG. senegalensis: black color

(18

%)

(46 %)

Non-rhizospheric soil

Bulk soil Rainy season

Bulk soilDry season

Rhizosphere

Correlation of PLFA with enzymes activities and environmental variables

Variance explainedVariance explained (PCA): 64.5 (PCA): 64.5 %%

Correlation with axis 1Correlation with axis 1

MBCMBC (0.65) (0.65) ββ-glucosidase -glucosidase (0.64)(0.64) Chitinase (0.62)Chitinase (0.62) Urease (0.60)Urease (0.60) Phosphatase acid (0.58)Phosphatase acid (0.58) Moisture (0.60)Moisture (0.60)

Chitinas

Urease

PhosAcidB-glucos

MBC

N-minera

Moisture

Axis 1

Axi

s 2

Rainy season Dry seasonRhizosphere Bulk Non-rhizosphere

P. reticulatum : red colorG. senegalensis: black color

(18.

05 %

)

(46.5 %)

l

Mature Mango TreeMature Mango Tree

Piliostigma reticulatumPiliostigma reticulatum

1 Year Mango Seedling1 Year Mango Seedling

Pruned Piliostigma reticulatum plant

Piliostigma reticulatumPiliostigma reticulatum

1 Year Mango Seedling1 Year Mango Seedling

Phase II 2011-2016

Participants and Collaborating Institutions(IRD, ISRA, OSU)

US Investigators

Teamrat Ghezzehei

Soil Physics Hydrology

University of California, Merced

US Investigators

Brian Mcspadden Gardener

Microbial Diversity/Beneficial

Microorganisms

Ohio State University

US Investigators

Paul Schreiner

Mycorrhizal Fungi

Oregon State University

US Investigators

John Reeve

Molecular Microbiology

Ohio State University

US Investigators

Cadance Lowell

Undergraduate Intern Program

Plant Ecology

Central State University

International Collaborators

International Collaborators

Lydie LardyNitrogen Cycling

France – IRD, Dakar

International Collaborators

Yacine Ndour

Soil Microbiology

Mycorrhizal Fungi

Senegal – ISRA, Dakar

International Collaborators

Modou Sene

Soil Physics

Hydrology and plant water relations

Senegal – ISRA, Thies

International Collaborators

Ibrahima Diedhiou

Field Research Management

Plant Ecology

Senegal – University of Thies, Thies

International Collaborators

Komi Assigbetse

Molecular Microbiology

Togo, France – IRD, Dakar

International Collaborators

Alain BraumanMicroTrop

France – IRD Thailand

Project Technical Administrator

Amanda Davey

Project Logistics/Purchasing, Student Preparation, and Reporting

Ohio State University

STUDENTS AND POST DOCS

PhD Supervision

Each PhD student has a US University and a Senegalese/French supervisor with assistance from a Senegalese post doc. This arrangement works to ensure students can effectively work in foreign environment and are learning to work with diverse partners, thereby preparing them to be globally engaged scientists.

PhD StudentsNathaniel Bogie

Hydrology – Shrub-crop water relationsUniversity of California, Merced

PhD StudentsSpencer Debenport

Microbial Diversity and Beneficial Microorganisms

Ohio State University

PhD StudentsMatthew BrightMycorrhizal Fungi

Ohio State University

MS Students

Chelsea DeLayDiazotrophs and N Cycling

Ohio State University

Esther LatinDiazotrophs and N Cycling

Ohio State University

Post docs

Roger BayalaHydrology Research & Field Coordinator

Senegal – University of Thies, Thies

Helene DialloSoil Microbiology

Senegal – IRD, Dakar

Undergraduate Students

20122012

20132013

Undergraduate Internship

• Hydrology • Soil chemistry and microbiology

MicroTropSénégal 2012

MicroTropSénégal 2012

Micro- and Macro- biologists!!!