Plant-Nematode-Microbe Interactions Laboratory

The Haarith lab at University of Florida is broadly interested in understanding how plants (especially Floridian crops) and their associated microbes interact with phytonematodes. We are interested in understanding the bases of plant host resistance and biological control to better integrate them into effective nematode management in agriculture. We rely on molecular biology methods, plant biotechnology tools, greenhouse and growth chamber studies as well as on collaborators for field trials to study these relationships. 

Our lab is interested in asking:

• How do the phytobiomes of different plant-nematode pathosystems vary?

We are interested in knowing how microbial communities associated with plants (collectively known as the phytobiome) vary depending on the nematode species present in the environment (plant parasitic or otherwise). By identifying microbes and understanding their ecological roles within these communities at a molecular level, we hope to discover naturally occurring allies that can suppress nematode populations or enhance plant resistance. We are also interested in studying these interactions in the context of various cultural practices, including chemical nematode control, crop rotation and above-ground insect pressures.

• How do interactions between different nematodes in the soil shape crop and soil health?

Agricultural environments (fields) often host multiple nematode species, and their interactions with each other can significantly impact crop performance. There are nematodes that harm the plants directly and there are nematodes that are free-living but might otherwise influence the lives of plant nematodes and other micro and meso-fauna. We are interested in investigating multi-nematode dynamics, such as competition, synergism, or antagonism, and how these interactions affect overall soil health, plant productivity, and plant disease outcomes. 

• How do biotic and abiotic interactions impact durability of deployed host resistance against nematodes?

Deploying nematode-resistant crop varieties is a key strategy in sustainable nematode management. However, resistance can break down over time due to biotic (e.g., pathogens, pests) and abiotic (e.g., temperature, moisture) stressors. We aim to understand how these environmental variables shape the longevity and stability of resistance traits, and how we can design cropping systems that maintain effectiveness over time.