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POSTERS: Microbiome/Communities II

P-346 - Interactive Effects of Soil Treatments and Grafting on Microbiome Dynamics and Verticillium Wilt Suppression

Tuesday, August 5, 2025
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM HST
Location: Exhibit Hall 3
Abstract Text:

Fumigation and Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD) are management strategies that help suppress Verticillium wilt and induce changes in the soil microbiome. When combined with grafting, these methods can impact the populations of beneficial microorganisms. This study investigates the combined effects of ASD, grafting, and fumigation on the communities of fungi, bacteria, and nematodes in tomato production, emphasizing their interactions. Field experiments were conducted in 2022 and 2023 at the Mountain Horticultural Research Station in Mills River, North Carolina, to evaluate the effects of soil treatment (ST) and grafting (GrT). The ST treatments included an untreated control, fumigation with Pic-Clor 60, ASD using brewer’s spent grain, and ASD with heat-treated sweet potato waste. For the GrT treatments, we compared tomatoes grafted onto "Beaufort" rootstock with non-grafted plants. Our findings revealed increased microbial diversity, especially in the ASD and grafted treatments, which was associated with enhanced disease suppression (P ≤ 0.05). Higher microbial diversity is often linked to increased competition and resilience, potentially reducing the impact of Verticillium dahliae.