Mussie Y. Habteselassie Crop and Soil Sciences UGA Griffin Campus 3 rd YEAR REVIEW SPRING FACULTY MEETING, MACON, GA SOIL MICROBIOLOGY GRIFFIN CAMPUS

 Came to UGA in 2008  30% teaching / 70% research appointment  Outline: Research program Sample projects Teaching Responsibility INTRODUCTION

RESEARCH PROGRAM  E Environmental Soil Microbiology Program 1. The ecology of human and animal pathogens in soils 2. Environmental services of soil microbial community 3. Microbial water quality

1. Ecology Of Human and Animal Pathogens In Soils Ecology of pathogens in soils  Use of model microorganisms - Lux marked E. coli O157:H7/Salmonella spp - GFP marked E. coli O157:H7/Salmonella spp - Antibiotic resistant E. coli/Salmonella spp Survival Transmission to produce

E. coli Persistence in the Rhizosphere of Fresh Produce Habteselassie, et al Understanding the role of agricultural practices in potential colonization and contamination by E. coli in rhizospheres of fresh produce. JFP 73:

Growth (d) Control plants were not visible due to absence of E. coli O157:H7 lux. T C T C T C Tracking E. coli O157:H7 Activity and Transmission on Fresh Produce Root E. coli O157:H7 gfp

Pathogen Persistence and Transmission during lettuce harvest  Co-PI on a grant from UC, Davis in collaboration with Dr. Cannon at the UGA Center for Food Safety: $338,414  Two year project (Jan 2011-Dec 2012)  Soil organic matter accumulation on glove during harvest and its effect on pathogen persistence and transmission  Source tracking organic matter from soil vs lettuce

2. Environmental Services of Soil Microorganisms Soil microbes & their environmental services Approach - Molecular microbiology – targeting functional genes - Stable isotope techniques – process characterization N & C cycling Pollutant remediation

A simplified Internal N cycle in soils Microbial Biomass Plants Organic N NH 4 + NO 3 - Leaching Mineralization Nitrification Denitrification N Cycling Under Contrasting Agricultural Management Systems

Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria vs Ammonia Oxidizing Archaea

Changes in Soil N Cycling Organisms Following Repeated Poultry Litter application Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria Ammonia Oxidizing Archaea Treatment Plots – different rates Control Plots Treatment Plots – different rates

 Functional and molecular diversity in nitrogen cycle enzymes under contrasting agricultural management systems.  USDA-AFRI Microbial Communities Program. Habteselassie, M.Y. (Co-PI):$499,894  5-year project; starts in July 2011  Organic vs conventional farming systems New Project On N Cycling

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Metabolizing organisms in Indoor Plants  Seed Money from the National Foliage Foundation (NFF)  VOCs from different sources such as carpets, computers  Some indoor plants efficient in removing VOCs  Microorganisms in the rhizosphere important players in VOCs removal  Survey in two homes in Athens, GA - >100 VOCs

Isolation and Characterization Priming Extraction, streaking & Isolation Identification & Characterization PCR Cloning Sequencing

TEACHING #CoursesYr Taught Student # 1*CRSS 4610/6610: Soil Microbiology 2009, *CRSS 3060: Soils and Hydrology 2009, CRSS 4580: Soil Erosion and Conservation AESC 3920: Ag. and Environmental Sc. Internship AESC 4960: Undergraduate Research 2009,

Required Courses Course Name CRSS 4610/6610Soil Microbiology CRSS 3060Soils and Hydrology AESC 4960Undergraduate Research AESC 3510Digital Imaging & Computer App in Ag. AESC 4190/6190Agricultural Ethics CRSS 4440/6440Environmental Physiology CRSS 3050Water Quality …TEACHING Natural Resources Science the Griffin Campus