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  1. Can we train soil microbial communities to promote plant growth?

    Blog
    Microbial communities are vital for ecosystem functions, and utilizing their diversity, particularly in phosphate-solubilising microbial communities, can provide sustainable solutions for agriculture. However, constructing and optimizing these communities present challenges due to complex interactions among microorganisms.
    Eiko Kuramae greenhouse
  2. Galápagos (4): the expedition film

    Blog
    An international research team led by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), the University of San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) and the Galápagos Science Centre (GSC) is to search for invisible life on the Galápagos Islands. The diversity of bacteria and other microscopic organisms may not be evident to the naked eye, but it is essential to nature. The research team will uncover the yet unknown microbial world that Darwin could not see. Specific focus is given to microorganisms associated with the islands' giant daisies (Scalesia): unique endemic plants that are currently threatened by extinction.
    Scalesia Expedition banner 3
  3. Galápagos (3): Back home and prepping for data analysis

    Blog
    An international research team led by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) has been searching for invisible life in the iconic Galápagos Islands. Part three.
    Viviane vertelt over Galapagos
  4. Galápagos (2): Next generation technology

    Blog
    An international research team led by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) is searching for invisible life in the iconic Galápagos Islands. Part two.
    Last samples processed, ready for sequencing
  5. Galápagos (1): A spectacular adventure

    Blog
    An international research team led by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) is searching for invisible life in the iconic Galápagos Islands.
    Viviane Cordovez op Galapagos
  6. The relationship between yield loss and grazing pressure: implications for goose management

    Blog
    Grazing by geese can cause a lot of damage to agricultural crops. Goose management aims to reduce such damages, for example by actively reducing population sizes.
    Brandganzen
  7. Teabags and temperature data

    Blog
    Yesterday I digged out the teabags that have been buried in the ground (under the snow as well!) for 3 months to measure decomposition rates in a standardised way.
    Tubs with soil and fungi covered with snow
  8. The taste of soil fungi

    Blog
    This summer I grew potato plants in my experimental containers. Potato plants are famous for producing potatoes and at the end of the summer I was left with kilos of them.
    Potatoes being weighed
  9. Potatoes are ready!

    Blog
    I set-up the main mesocosm experiment in the containers using sterile soil as background and 4 donor soils with varying levels and traits of fungi.
    Hannula in a field with cows
  10. Learning from nature: Using plant-soil feedback effects to improve disease control and sustainability in greenhouse cut-flowers

    Blog
    In this post I will look back on our past project on using plant-soil feedbacks to improve the growth of Chrysanthemum, an important cut flower crop in The Netherlands.
    Red chrysanthemum blooming in greenhouse
  11. Looking for student(s) to work with me!

    Blog
    Research is always team work and thus, I am looking for more members to join our team!
    Emilia and her colleagues working in the field
  12. Life as an academic researcher

    Blog
    Just realized I have not posted in a while and that I will be away this week as well. Things have not been standing still here and in past few weeks a lot has happened.
    Emilia sitting at a table with a laptop, listening in a meeting