July 21, 2022
"From Alice in Wonderland to The Lord of the Rings, our stories have long depicted magical worlds hidden underground. Yet the most magical account of all might turn out to be reality, as scientists reveal a complex network of reactions between plants, fungi, bacteria, and more, interacting below the soil surface to support the foundations of life. At ARS, one part of the research into this intricate underground world involves identifying techniques that will keep nitrogen — a vital element for plant growth — in the soil." Cover crop research by SWAC faculty member Rod Venterea is featured by the USDA Agricultural Research Service.