Karrie Smith was the DRA Undergraduate Research Assistant from 2024 to 2025. Her project investigates three aspects of using the MicroBIOMETER to indicate soil health:
- 1) in-field variability of readings;
- 2) the effect of seasonality on microbial activity;
- and 3) potential changes in results that may occur under controlled lab conditions.
Soil sampling occurred biweekly. MicroBIOMETER tests were performed on the day of sampling and again after the samples had been incubated for at least three days. This project aims to continue regular testing throughout the growing season to paint a more complete picture of seasonality in microbial activity.
See the poster:
