USDA-ARS Research Horticulture Fellow
Research Project
You will have the opportunity to participate in mission-based research at the Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Station in Byron, GA. This project involves the evaluation of pecan tree and soil health following various small ruminant (goat) grazing regimes including aspects of soil compaction and fertility, leaf nutrition, nut yield and quality and soil bacterial and fungal microbiomes. This will specifically include (but is not limited to) microbiome analysis of leaves and soil, gas exchange parameters, composting, and plant nutrition, especially looking at the effect of different soil amendments for orchard soil health, including but not limited to composted goat manure, composted pecan shell, pecan biochar, and other waste biproducts. Innovative methods of soil amendment alternatives using orchard waste biproducts will be used as fertilization alternatives, leading to enhanced stakeholders' profitability.
Learning Objectives
- Gain hands-on experience evaluating pecan tree and soil health under different small ruminant (goat) grazing regimes.
- Develop skills in assessing soil compaction, fertility, leaf nutrition, nut yield, and nut quality in orchard systems.
- Learn to perform and interpret soil and leaf microbiome analyses, including bacterial and fungal community profiling.
- Build skills in measuring plant physiological parameters such as gas exchange and nutrient status.
- Gain experience designing and evaluating composting strategies and soil amendments derived from agricultural byproducts.
Mentor(s)
The mentor for this opportunity is Cristina Pisani (Cristina.Pisani@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Qualifications
- The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields.
- Degree must have been received within the past five years.
- Preferred Skills: Horticulture, plant physiology, plant nutrition, soil biology, microbiology, and root biology.