Pushpa Soti, Ph.D.
Pushpa Soti, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
(956) 665-3131
pushpa.soti@UTRGV.edu
Office: ESCNE 2.320
Lab: ESCNE 2.444
Courses
BIOL 3409 – Ecology
BIOL 4400 - Biological Communication
BIOL 6303 - Advanced Ecology
EEMS 6305 - Adv Sustainable Agriculture
Education
Ph.D. Florida International University, Miami, FL, 2013
M.S. Florida Atlantic University, Davie, FL, 2008
Research field
Weed and Invasive Plant Ecology
Areas of Interest
Weedy and exotic invasive plant ecology; plant-soil-microbe interactions; soil health; sustainable agriculture; ecological restoration; ecosystem resilience
Research
Much of my work focuses on the ecology and management of weeds and invasive plants in both agroecosystems and natural areas. My primary research goal is to understand why and how plant invasions occur and apply ecological principles in weedy and invasive plant management at the systems level. My current research work includes the investigation of complex interactions between plant and soil processes towards integrated weed management providing land managers and farmers with tools to reduce reliance on chemicals. Currently, we are conducting both large scale field trials and controlled experiments to compare differences in weed and pest suppression, crop performance, and yield following winter and summer season cover crop treatments, which include a three- species cover crop mix and single cover crop trials. We also examine below ground biotic interactions (including mycorrhizae and nematodes) and their ecological implications on soil chemistry as it relates to on-farm productivity and agricultural sustainability.