We are interested in being an active partner in a project related to soil biodiversity in agroecosystems. Our team in the Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Research Group (MEBRG) at the ARC has experience in evaluation of microbial community dynamics when exposed to different farming strategies such as conservation agriculture vs conventional agriculture. We also have expertise in monitoring/tracing carbon flow in agroecosystems using SIP. An ongoing project in the group is aimed at evaluating carbon losses and gains when exposing soil to various agricultural practices. Several members of the team have strong soil microbiology and soil science backgrounds. Of late, we have also initiated a project on precision agriculture and the biological synthesis of nanofertilizers.

The Agricultural Research Council is a premier science institution that conducts research with partners, develops human capital and fosters innovation to support and develop the agricultural sector in South Africa.