Forge, Thomas, Ph.D.

Contact Information:

P.O. Box 1000
Agassiz, British Columbia V0M 1A0
Telephone: 604-796-1714
Fax: 604-796-0359

Areas of Expertise:

• Soil ecology and nematology
• Cultural management of plant-parasitic nematodes
• Influences of organic amendments on root diseases and soil health indicators
• Sustainable soil, nutrient and water management for high-value horticultural crops

Current Projects:

• Root diseases of perennial fruit crops: Impacts of climate change and sustainable water management strategies
• Role of plant-parasitic nematodes in root decline of blueberry
• Biological interactions fundamental to the environmentally sustainable production of high-quality blueberries
• Effects of alternative mulches on blueberry root health, productivity and nutrient management
• Impacts of plant-parasitic nematodes on root dynamics and productivity of wine grapes in the Okanagan Valley
• Influences of nitrogen sources and cover crops on soil health indicators and root diseases of red raspberry

Affiliations:

• Adjunct Professor, University of British Columbia
• Canadian Phytopathological Society
• Canadian Society for Soil Science
• Society of Nematologists

Recent Publications:

2009:

• Forge, T.A. and Kempler, C. (2009). "Organic mulches influence population densities of root-lesion nematodes, soil health indicators and root growth of red raspberry.", Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology-Revue canadienne de phytopathologie, 31(2), pp. 241-249.
• Neilsen, G.H., Lowery, D.T., Forge, T.A., and Neilsen, D. (2009). "Organic fruit production in British Columbia.", Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 89(4), pp. 677-692. DOI: 10.4141/CJPS08167
• Wallace, B.M., Krzic, M., Forge, T.A., Broersma, K., and Newman, R.F. (2009). "Biosolids Increase Soil Aggregation and Protection of Soil Carbon Five Years after Application on a Crested Wheatgrass Pasture.", Journal of Environmental Quality, 38(1), pp. 291-298. DOI: 10.2134/jeq2007.0608
• Zhai, Z., Ehret, D.L., Forge, T.A., Helmer, T., Lin, W.C., Dorais, M., and Papadopoulos, A.P. (2009). "Organic Fertilizers for Greenhouse Tomatoes: Productivity and Substrate Microbiology.", HortScience, 44(3), pp. 800-809.

2008:

• Atul-Nayyar, A., Hamel, C., Forge, T.A., Selles, F., Jefferson, P.G., Hanson, K.G., and Germida, J.J. (2008). "Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and nematodes are involved in negative feedback on a dual culture of alfalfa and Russian wildrye.", Applied Soil Ecology, 40(1), pp. 30-36.
• Diarra, M.S., Rempel, H., Diarrassouba, F., Forge, T.A., Kannangara, T., Bittman, S., Delaquis, P.J., Bach, S.J., Topp, E., Pritchard, J., Stanich, K., and Jaeckel, J. (2008). "Persistence of Escherichia coli in Soil Fertilised with Chicken Manure.", 2008 Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology (CIFST/AAFC) Conference, Delta Prince Edward Hotel, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada, May 25-27, 2008. (Abstract)
• Forge, T.A., Hogue, E.J., Neilsen, G.H., and Neilsen, D. (2008). "Organic mulches alter nematode communities, root growth and fluxes of phosphorus in the root zone of apple.", Applied Soil Ecology, 39(1), pp. 15-22.
• Forge, T.A., Neilsen, G.H., Neilsen, D., Larney, F.J., Buckley, K.E., Chantigny, M.H., Ziadi, N., McLeod, G.J., Sanderson, J.B., Bittman, S., and Liu, A. (2008). "Improved understanding of the forms and fates of phosphorus in composts and development of compost BMP's for horticultural crops. GAPS Project No. 318.", AAFC Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agassiz and Summerland, BC, 161 pages. (Report)
• Neilsen, D., Neilsen, G.H., Gregory, D., Forge, T.A., and Zebarth, B.J. (2008). "Drainage losses of water, N and P from micro-irrigation systems in a young, high density apple planting.", Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 792, pp. 483-490.

2007:

• Atul-Nayyar, A., Hamel, C., Forge, T.A., Selles, F., and Jefferson, P.G. (2007). "Phosphorus fertilization influence biological interactions in forage stands.", 2007 Annual Meeting of CPS-SCP (with Plant Canada 2007), Saskatoon, SK, Canada, June 10-14, 2007, pp. 91, SG3-1A. (Abstract)
• Bittman, S., Forge, T.A., Kowalenko, C.G., Hunt, D.E., Bounaix, F., and Zhang, T.Q. (2007). "Long term effects of dairy manure on grass: Production and soil nutrient shifts.", 2007 Annual Meeting of CPS-SCP (with Plant Canada 2007), Saskatoon, SK, Canada, June 10-14, 2007, pp. 92, SG3-4. (Abstract)
• Bittman, S., Kowalenko, C.G., Forge, T.A., Hunt, D.E., Bounaix, F., and Patni, N.K. (2007). "Agronomic effects of multi-year surface-banding of dairy slurry on grass.", Bioresource Technology, 98(17), pp. 3249-3258. DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2006.07.016
• Forge, T.A., Bittman, S., Hamel, C., Atul-Nayyar, A., Landry, C.P., and Zhang, T.Q. (2007). "Soil food web structure and the use of nematodes as indicators.", 2007 Annual Meeting of CPS-SCP (with Plant Canada 2007), Saskatoon, SK, Canada, June 10-14, 2007, pp. 89, SF3-3. (Abstract)
• He, Z.Q., Honeycutt, C.W., Forge, T.A., Zhang, T.Q., Pellechia, P.J., Caliebe, W.A. (2007). "Distinction of Metal Species of Phytate by Solid-State Spectroscopic Techniques.", Soil Science Society of America Journal (SSSAJ), 71, pp. 940-943. DOI: 10.2136/sssaj2006.0175N
• Neilsen, G.H., Cossentine, J.E., Forge, T.A., Hampson, C.R., Hogue, E.J., Judd, G.J.R., Neilsen, D., Sholberg, P.L., and Thistlewood, H.M.A. (2007). "Organic Apple Production in British Columbia: Discovery to Application.", Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 744, pp. 129-138.
• Neilsen, G.H., Hogue, E.J., Forge, T.A., Neilsen, D., and Kuchta, S. (2007). "Nutritional implications of biosolids and paper mulch applications in high density apple orchards.", Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 87(3), pp. 551-558.
• Neilsen, G.H., Lowery, D.T., Forge, T.A., Neilsen, D., and Ehret, D.L. (2007). "Organic fruit production: Managing reality and perception.", 2007 Annual Meeting of CPS-SCP (with Plant Canada 2007), Saskatoon, SK, Canada, June 10-14, 2007, pp. 87, SF1-2. (Abstract)
• Zhang, T.Q. and Forge, T.A. (2007). "Behaviour and fate of phosphorus in soil: Changing concepts and research perspectives of soil phosphorus chemistry and fertility.", 2007 Annual Meeting of CPS-SCP (with Plant Canada 2007), Saskatoon, SK, Canada, June 10-14, 2007, pp. 89, SF3-2. (Abstract)

2006:

• Bittman, S., Kowalenko, C.G., Hunt, D.E., Forge, T.A., and Wu, X. (2006). "Starter P fertilizer and broadcast nutrients on corn with contrasting colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizae.", Agronomy Journal, 98(2), pp. 394-401.
• Cogger, C.G., Forge, T.A., and Neilsen, G.H. (2006). "Biosolids recycling: nitrogen management and soil ecology.", Canadian Journal of Soil Science, 86(4), pp. 613-620.
• Delaquis, P.J., Bach, S.J., Diarra, M.S., Bittman, S., Forge, T.A., Kanangara, T., and Topp, E. (2006). "Fate of Antibiotic Resistance E. coli in Pasture Soil and Grass Following Poultry Manure application.", 10th Annual Federal Food Safety and Nutrition Research Meeting (FFSNRM): 10 Years of Fostering Research Integration and Collaboration, Ottawa, ON, Canada, October 11-12, 2006.
• Herath, A., Zhang, T.Q., Forge, T.A., Hamel, C., and Goss, M.J. (2006). "Chemical Behavior of Phosphorus in a Sandy Loam Soil Long-Term Applied with Dairy Slurry.", 2006 ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings: Symposium Integrating Weather Variability into Nitrogen Recommendations, Indianapolis, IN, USA, November 12-16, 2006.
• Kannangara, T., Forge, T.A., and Dang, B. (2006). "Effects of aeration, molasses, kelp, compost type, and carrot juice on the growth of Escherichia coli in compost teas.", Compost Science & Utilization, 14(1), pp. 40-47.
• Neilsen, G.H., Bowen, P.A., Neilsen, D., Forge, T.A., Usher, K.B., and Quamme, H.A. (Eds.) (2006). "Nutritional requirements for maintenance of healthy vines and highest quality grapes. BCWI Interim Research Report.", 4 pages. (Report)
• Neilsen, G.H., Cosssentine, J., Forge, T.A., Hampson, C.R., Hogue, E.J., Judd, G.J.R., Neilsen, D., Sholberg, P.L., and Thistlewood, H.M.A. (2006). "Organic Apple Production in British Columbia: Discovery to Application.", 1st International Organic Apple and Pear Symposium, Wolfville, NS, Canada, February 28-March 2, 2006, pp. 9.

2005:

• Forge, T.A. and Broersma, K. (2005). "Research Short Story: Agriculture Canada and the Greater Vancouver Regional District Try to Get the Dirt on the Effects of Biosolids on Soil Health.", Biosolids Bulletin, 2, pp. 2. (Newsletter)
• Forge, T.A., Bittman, S., and Kowalenko, C.G. (2005). "Impacts of sustained use of dairy manure slurry and fertilizer on populations of Pratyenchus penetrans under tall fescue.", Journal of Nematology, 37(2), pp. 207-213.
• Forge, T.A., Broersma, K., Neilsen, G.H., Yu, S., and Roddan, B. (2005). "The impacts of municipal biosolids on some indicators of soil health. Annual Project Report for the GVRD.", AAFC Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agassiz and Summerland, BC, 11 pages. (Report)
• Forge, T.A., Hogue, E.J., Neilsen, G.H., Neilsen, D., Granatstein, D., and Faubion, D. (2005). "Final report: Influences of selected mulches and soil amendments on dynamics of nitrogen and phosphorus availability in the apple root zone. Apple Horticulture/Pathology Res. Rev., Wenatchee, WA.", 216-223 pages. (Report)
• Hogue, E.J., Kuchta, S., Neilsen, G.H., Forge, T.A., and Neilsen, D. (2005). "Improving yield and soil quality with mulches and amendments in orchards.", 3rd National Organic Tree Fruit Research Symposium, Campbell's Resort, Chelan, WA, USA, June 6-8, 2005, pp. 76-77.
• Hogue, E.J., Neilsen, D., Neilsen, G.H., Forge, T.A., and Kuchta, S. (2005). "Final report: Improving crop yield and soil quality with mulches, organic amendments and cover crops. Apple Horticulture/Pathology Res. Rev., Wenatchee, WA.", 209-215 pages. (Report)
• Neilsen, D., Neilsen, G.H., Herbert, L.C., Hogue, E.J., Forge, T.A., and Toivonen, P.M.A. (2005). "Final report: Water and nutrient management for high quality fruits. Apple Horticulture/Pathology Res. Rev. Wenatchee, WA", 188-198 pages. (Report)
• Neilsen, G.H., Hogue, E.J., Forge, T.A., and Neilsen, D. (2005). "Environmental and production implications of increased use of organic matter amendments in integrated fruit production.", Joint meeting of the Geological Association of Canada, the Mineralogical Association of Canada, the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists, and the Canadian Society of Soil Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada, May 15-18, 2005, Vol. 30, pp. 80.