Bhupinder Jatana

 Research Interests

The central theme of my research program is to explore the plant physiology and plant-soil-microbial interactions in intensively managed vegetable production systems (e.g tomato, sweet corn, sweet potato, brassica greens and cucurbits). Plant-soil-microbial cross-talks influence plant resource use efficiency, abiotic and biotic stress resilience, productivity and produce quality, which intern is governed by its influence on plant physiology and biochemistry. We are interested in exploring the 1) plant-soil-microbial interactions (in conventional and organic production systems) for improving the resource use efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance and tolerance to soil borne pathogens in vegetable crops and 2) promoting regenerative horticulture practices: to promote the build-up of healthy microbiome in intensively managed vegetable production systems. Our research team combine the basic and applied research concepts to develop novel, sustainable, and information-driven management strategies, and to promote sustainability of vegetable production systems.

 Lab Members

Research Associate:
Tom Grayson Sanders III

Graduate Student:
Sukhman Kaur

 Extension and Outreach

My extension efforts aim to address the stakeholder needs by providing relevant information through data driven presentations at field days, meetings, offering trainings for Extension agents, producers, consultants, etc., demonstrations, email alerts, phone calls and making field visits. Further, we work closely with farmers through on-farm research trials to showcase and facilitate the grower adoption of sustainable practices.

 Publications

Jatana, B.S., Gami, S., Ketterings, Q.M. (2023) Assessing the impact of mixing acid whey with dairy manure on pH and nitrogen dynamics during manure handling. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-023-01243-1

Jatana, B.S., Ray, C., Kitchens, C., Gerard, P., Tharayil, N. (2022) Rendered materials partly substitute inorganic nitrogen fertilizers and improve nitrogen recovery in maize production system. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10705-022-10236-y

Zhang, Z., Jatana, B.S., Gill, J., Campbell, B., Suseela, V., Tharayil, N. (2022) Cross inoculation of rhizobiome from a congeneric ruderal plant (Andropogon virginicus) imparts drought tolerance in maize (Zea mays) through changes in root morphology and proteome. The Plant Journal. https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.15775

Jatana, B.S., Kitchens, C., Ray, C., Gerard, P., Tharayil, N., (2021) Dual inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and phosphorus solubilizing fungi synergistically enhances the mobilization and plant uptake of phosphorus from meat and bone meal. Frontiers in Soil Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoil.2021.757839

Jatana, B.S., Ram, H., Gupta, N., Kaur, H., (2021) Wheat response to foliar application of salicylic acid under different sowing environments. Journal of Crop Improvement. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2021.1971131

Jatana, B.S., Kitchens, C., Ray, C., Tharayil, N. (2020) Regulating the nutrient release rates from proteinaceous agricultural byproducts using organic amendments and its effect on soil chemical and microbiological properties. Biology and Fertility of Soils, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-020-01446-z

Jatana, B.S., Ram, H., Gupta, N. (2020) Application of seed and foliar priming strategies to improve the growth and productivity of late sown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Cereal Research Communications, https://doi.org/10.1007/s42976-020-00036-x