Recognized expertise in environmental microbiology including microbial (bacterial, fungal, mycorrhizal) diversity, microbial nutrient cycling (sulfur, phosphorus and nitrogen), plant-microbe-nematode interaction, sustainable fertilizer use, interaction of bio-based and recycling derived fertilizers with microbial multifunctionality and plant growth in agriculture and horticulture, sustainable agriculture and environmental restoration. Work package leader in NWE Interreg ReNu2Cycle (2023-27). Work package leader (nutrient cycling) in SusCrop project PotatoMETAbiome (2019-2023). (1) Deinert L, Ikoyi I, Egeter B, Forrestal P & Schmalenberger A (2023) Short-Term Impact of Recycling-Derived Fertilizers on Their P Supply for Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Plants 12, 2762 (2) Gahan J, O’Sullivan O, Cotter PD, & Schmalenberger A (2022) Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Support Plant Sulfur Supply through Organosulfur Mobilizing Bacteria in the Hypho-and Rhizosphere. Plants 11, 3050. (3) Ikoyi I, Fowler A, Storey S, Doyle E & Schmalenberger A (2020) Sulfate fertilization supports growth of ryegrass in soil columns but changes microbial community structures and reduces abundances of nematodes and arbuscular mycorrhiza. Sci Tot Environ 704: 135315. (4) Ikoyi I, Egeter B, Chaves C, Ahmed M, Fowler A & Schmalenberger A (2020) Responses of soil microbiota and nematodes to application of organic and inorganic fertilizers in grassland columns. Biol Fertil Soils 56: 647-662.
Agriculture
Microbiology
Molecular Biology
I am looking for a project that is working on Thematic B by resorting soil multifunctionality through sustainable agriculture and the effective utilization of soil microbes. Soil microbes can interact with plants to exchange essential nutrients N, P and S for carbon in the rhizosphere. Better use of bio-based and slow release recycling derived fertilizers may not only enhance the circular economy but have the potential to increase nutrient use efficiency by utilizing soil microbiome functionality and reducing nutrient losses. I am currently leading the selection of recycling derived fertilizers for rapid prototype testing and demonstration at field scale for the North-West Europe Interreg project ReNu2Cycle and I am looking to expand on this work by closer investigating the plant microbe interactions on nutrient cycling.