MY RESEARCH
BIOFERTILIZER IN HORTICULTURE
2019-2021
I evaluated several soil health indicators the first and second year after the first-time application of pine-biochar was done in 2017 to a peach orchard in this region. This project was divided into three-part: 1) the impact of biochar soil on health indicators on SOM dynamics, 2) on soil microbial community and soil function, 3) on soil microbial structure and functional diversity. (NCSU picture)
DIVERSIFICATION AND INTENSIFICATION OF CROP SOIL
2017-Present
We studied the impact of intesification and diversification of crop rotation under no-till on soil microbial communities. I used Illumina sequencing to analyze the structure of soil bacterial communities.
IMPACT OF SOIL MANAGEMENT IN GHG.
2018-2019
We evaluated how microbial functional genes related to the soil C and N biogeochemical cycles shifted in response to agricultural management in a sugarcane system of Tucuman-Argentina. Furthermore, how these genes markers are related to GHGs fluxes (CO2, CH4 and, NO2).We compared two tillage systems (conventional tillage and conservative tillage) and two harvest mechanically systems (Light harvest and Heavy harvest).
INTERCHANGE OF TILLAGE SYSTEMS
2011-2016
We analyzed the impact produced by tillage systems, like no-tillage or conventional tillage, on soil microbial communities. And the effects produced by interchange the agricultural practices between each other. (Photo by RG Wendorff)
MICROBIAL ECOLOGY IN AGGREGATES
2015-2017
We analyzed the impact of soil managment over soil health indicators at a aggregate scales. For that, the soil was sieved in different soil particles fractions and anlyzed the soil microbial communities. (SSA image).
CHARACTERIZATION OF GOOD AND BAD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
2011-2013
We used the Community Level Physiological Profile methodology to discriminate soils with different agricultural use history. The CLPP was able to distinguish between two agricultural managements in no-till with a different meaning for the conservation of the soil resource and the seasonal effect of summer and winter was analyzed: Good Agricultural Practices (BPA) based on crop rotation and the use of cover crops in winter, and by on the other hand the Bad Agricultural Practices (MPA), based mainly on the monoculture Uncultivated soil (Natural Environment, AN) close to the Agricultural sites as a reference. This project was part of a large project called BIOSPAS, directed by Dr. Luis Wall (Photo by Dr. Wall).
COVER CROP FIXTURES
April 12, 2025
We still have only a very limited understanding of Cover Crop Fixtures. Answering questions about this is essential for understanding the mechanistic role it plays on other scientific processes, and for developing tools to further explore this research avenue with more sensitive measurements and improved data collection.
REGIONAL CROP RESPONSE
April 12, 2025
In an effort to gain a better understanding of Regional Crop Response, I have recently begun to use a new technique to investigate the organization and functionality of the diverse parts of my experimental model. I am currently looking to expand this work by collaborating with other labs who have the facilities and prior experience to investigate this project further.
INTEGRATED PLANT MANAGEMENT
April 12, 2025
Building upon work done by a former lab colleague, I have developed a powerful tool for use in the identification and characterization of the processes in my model system. A major advantage of this development is its improved sensitivity, which allows it to detect subtle dynamic property changes in response to my experimental setup.
COVER CROP FIXTURES
April 12, 2025
We still have only a very limited understanding of Cover Crop Fixtures. Answering questions about this is essential for understanding the mechanistic role it plays on other scientific processes, and for developing tools to further explore this research avenue with more sensitive measurements and improved data collection.
PUBLISHED WORK
2021
“Forest floor manipulation effects on the relationship between aggregate stability and ectomycorrhizal fungi”. 2021. Dick, D.L., Gardner, T.G., Frene, J.P., Heitman, J.L., Sucre, E.B., Leggett, Z.H. Forest Ecology and Management, in press.
“Short-term impact of switching between tillage and no-tillage on soil aggregation, soil physiology and soil microbiome in semi-arid soils in Argentina”. 2021. Gabbarini*, L.A., Figuerola*, E., Frene*, J.P., Robledo, N.B., Ibarbalz, F., Babin, D., Smalla, K., Erijman, L., Wall, L.G. FEMS Microbial Ecology, 97: fiab025.
“Early effect of pine biochar on peach-tree planting on microbial community composition and enzymatic activity”. 2021. Frene, JP; Frazier, M; Liu, S; Parker, M; Clark, M; and Gardner TG. Applied Sciences, 11: 1473.
2020
“Early response of organic matter dynamics to pine-biochar in sandy soil under peach trees”. 2020. Frene JP, Frazier M, Rutto E, McGwire J, Liu S, Parker M, Clark M, and Gardner T. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, 2020;3:e20094.
“Structural and functional microbial community response to short-term impact of switching between tillage and no-tillage at soil aggregate level”. Frene, JP.; Gabbarini LA.; Wall LG. Biorxit (Preprint).
2019
“Community Level Physiological Profiles discriminate soils with different no-till agricultural practices depending on seasonal effect”. Frene JP; Gabbarini L; Wall, LG. Soil Use and Management. 00:1–10.DOI: 10.1111/sum.12568
"Changes of paradigms in soil microbiology and new challenges in microbial ecology". Wall, LG; Gabbarini, L; Ferrari, A; Frene, JP; Covelli, JP; Reyna, D; Robledo, B. Acta Oecologica, 95: 68-73.
2018
“Efectos de la labranza en la estructura y la actividad biológica a nivel de los microagregados del suelo". (Tillage systems modify microbial structure and activity at the soil micro-aggregate level). 2018. Frene, JP; Gabbarini, L; Wall, LG. Ciencia del Suelo (Argentina). 36 (2): 50-62.
“El manejo agrícola como herramienta clave para una agricultura de conservación. Su análisis desde la bioquímica y la microbiología del suelo”. (The agricultural management as a key tool for a conservative agriculture. Its analysis through biochemistry and microbiology). Frene, JP; Gabbarini, L; Wall, LG. Divulgatio. Perfiles académicos de posgrado.2 (5), 1-16.
2017
“Manejo de las rotaciones de cultivos en siembra directa y su efecto sobre la actividad fosfatasa del suelo” (Management of crop rotations in direct seeding and its effect on soil phosphatase activity). 2017. Gabbarini, LA; Frene, JP; Wall, LG. Ciencias del Suelo (Argentina). 35(2): 229-238.
TECHNIQUES USED
ENZYMES ACTIVITIES
I have worked with both enzyme activities to measure maximal activity and Km using both PNP or MUB based substrates. Additionally, I have been working with CNPS combined assay developed by Acostal-Martinez et al. (2019).
QPCR
I have measured structural genes (bacteria, fungi, archaea, several phylum and classes) and functional genes markers (nirK, nirS, nosZ, pmoA, mcrA, AOB, AOA0.
16S RRNA SEQUENCING
For this I have used the Illumina Miseq platform, and to analyze the raw sequences I have used MOTHUR and DADA2.
GHG FLUXES
I have quantified N2O, CH4, and CO2 gases fixes with chamber system
FAME ANALYSIS
The system was termed FAME analysis since it utilizes fatty acid methyl esters. Identification of fatty acids with this system is accomplished with measurements of retention time, which is the time for a specific fatty acid to pass through the GC column.
CLLP
We used Community Level Physiological Profile based on O2-compsution system, being the last one designed by myself
CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL TECHNIQUES
Technique such as POXC, SOC, TN, soil aggregates stability, pH, Soil protein.