Thomas Forge, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Applied Soil Ecology / Nematology

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Summerland Research & Development Centre

Current research and/or projects

General area of research is applied soil ecology, with an emphasis on: (1) Ecology and management of plant-parasitic nematodes; and (2) Integrated root health management for perennial horticulture crops.

Current projects:

  • Impacts of plant-parasitic nematodes on perennial fruit production in British Columbia
  • Comparative tolerance and resistance of new cherry and apple rootstocks to plant-parasitic nematodes
  • Identification and distribution of plant-parasitic nematode species of concern to agriculture in western Canada
  • Pre-plant soil and water management practices to suppress plant-parasitic nematodes and improve replant establishment of perennial fruit crops
  • Interactive influences of organic amendments, mulches and alternative irrigation practices on nematode population dynamics in orchards and vineyards

Education and awards

  • Ph.D. (Plant Pathology), University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • B.Sc. (Biology), Kansas State University

Key publications

  1. Forge, T.A., P. Munro, T. Watson, S. Kuchta. 2020. Irrigation and soil organic matter management practices affect population development of the ring nematode, Mesocriconema xenoplax, on sweet cherry. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology 42:3, 459, DOI: 10.1080/07060661.2020.1767385.

    2020 - View publication details

  2. MacDonald JL, Forge T, Hannam K, Judd G, Moffat C, O'Gorman D, Sanfacon H, Xu H. 2020. 'Apple Decline' in the Okanagan Valley. Summerland Research and Development Centre via Instagram and Facebook.

    2020 - View publication details

  3. Larney, F.J., Catton, H.A. Geddes, C.M., Lupwayi, N.Z., Forge, T.A., Lemke, R.L., and Helgason, B.L. 2020. Cover cropping for organic carrot production. Oral presentation. Organic Alberta and Holistic Management Canada Conference, January 31-February 2, 2020, Camrose, AB.

    2020 - View publication details

  4. Forge, T. J. Broatch, M.W. Harding, P. Reid, G.C. Daniles, L. Reid, A. Chan, and M. Cutts. 2019. Survey of plant-parasitic nematodes in horticultural crops in Alberta, 2014 and 2015. Pp. 13-16 in: The Canadian Phytopathological Society Canadian Plant Disease Survey: Disease Highlights 2019. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology, 41 (sup1): 1-197, DOI: 10.1080/07060661.2019.1619270.

    2019 - View publication details

  5. Neilsen, D., Neilsen, G., Forge, T. 2018. Building resilience: future directions in mineral nutrition of woody perennial crops. Acta Horticulturae 1217:1-11. DOI 10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1217.1

    2018 - View publication details

  6. Watson, T.T., Forge, T.A., Nelson, L.M. (2018). Pseudomonads contribute to regulation of Pratylenchus penetrans (Nematoda) populations on apple, 64(11), 775-785. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjm-2018-0040

    2018 - View publication details

  7. Forney, C.F., S. Blatt, T. Forge, D. Neilsen, J.A. Cline, K.D. Munro Pennell and S.A.E. Fillmore. 2017. Rootstock effects on phloem amino acid composition: Role in aphid resistance. ASHS Annual Meeting Sept 19-22, 2017, Waikoloa, Hawaii, USA (abstract) https://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2017/webprogramarchives/Paper26286.html

    2017 - View publication details

  8. Forge, T.A., Neilsen, D., Neilsen, G.H., Hannam, K.D., Randall, P., and Wambold, L. (2016). "Water-conserving mulch and micro-irrigation practices affect assemblages of nematodes parasitizing winegrape in the Okanagan Valley.", Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology. (Abstract)

    2016 - View publication details

  9. Lang, G., Blatt, S.E., Forge, T.A., Lordan, J., Neilsen, D., Reig, G., and Robinson, T. (2016). "Integrating Sweet Cherry Canopy Architectures and Rootstocks in Different Environments: the NC140 Trial Results from Michigan, New York, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia.", XI International Symposium on Integrating Canopy, Rootstock and Environmental Physiology in Orchard Systems.

    2016 - View publication details

  10. Watson, T.T., Nelson, L.M., Neilsen, G.H., Neilsen, D., O'Gorman, D.T., and Forge, T.A. (2016). "Control of Pratylenchus penetrans on sweet cherry using organic soil amendments.", Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology. (Abstract)

    2016 - View publication details

  11. O'Gorman, D.T., Haag, P., Forge, T.A., and Urbez-Torres, J.R. (2016). "Identification and characterization of the fungal pathogens inhabiting the root zone of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia.", Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology. doi : 10.1080/07060661.2016.1139308 (Abstract)

    2016 - View publication details

  12. O'Gorman, D.T., Haag, P., Urbez-Torres, J.R., Forge, T.A., Nelson, L.M., and Toivonen, P.M.A. (2016). Characterization and management of two cherry diseases in the Okanagan: cherry slip skin and cherry replant disease. AIP-ASP reporting: BC Cherry Growers Association/Summerland Varieties Corp - Interim Report, January 1,2016. (Report)

    2016 - View publication details

  13. Neilsen, D., Neilsen, G.H., Forge, T. and Lang, G.A. 2016. Dwarfing rootstocks and training systems affect initial growth, cropping and nutrition in 'Skeena' sweet cherry. Acta Hort. (ISHS) 1130:199-206

    2016 - View publication details

  14. Fentabil, M.M., Nichol, C.F., Neilsen, G.H., Hannam, K.D., Neilsen, D., Forge, T.A., Jones, M.D. (2016). Effect of micro-irrigation type, N-source and mulching on nitrous oxide emissions in a semi-arid climate: An assessment across two years in a Merlot grape vineyard, 171 49-62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2016.02.021

    2016 - View publication details

  15. Hannam, K.D., Neilsen, G.H., Forge, T.A., Neilsen, D., Losso, I., Jones, M.D., Nichol, C., Fentabil, M.M. (2016). Irrigation practices, nutrient applications, and mulches affect soil nutrient dynamics in a young merlot (Vitis vinifera L.) vineyard, 96(1), 23-36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2014-0118

    2016 - View publication details

  16. Hannam, K.D., Kehila, D., Millard, P., Midwood, A., Neilsen, D., Neilsen, G.H., Forge, T.A., Nichol, C., and Jones, M.D. (2016). "Bicarbonates in irrigation water contribute to carbonate formation and CO2 production in orchard soils under drip irrigation.", Geoderma, 266, pp. 120-126. doi : 10.1016/j.geoderma.2015.12.015

    2016 - View publication details

  17. Forge, T., Neilsen, G., Neilsen, D. (2016). Organically acceptable practices to improve replant success of temperate tree-fruit crops, 200 205-214. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2016.01.002

    2016 - View publication details

  18. Forge, T.A., Neilsen, D., Zebarth, B.J., Neilsen, G.H., Kenney, E., Hashimoto, N., and Watson, T.T. (2015). "Using compost amendmenets to enhance soil health and replant establishment of tree-fruit and berry crops.", 3rd International Symposium on Organic Matter Management and Compost Use in Horticulture, International Society for Horticultural Science, Murcia, Spain, April 20-24, 2015.

    2015 - View publication details

  19. Ehret, D.L., Frey, B., Forge, T.A., Helmer, T., and Bryla, D.R. (2015). "Age-related changes in response of highbush blueberry plants to drip irrigation.", HortScience, 50(3), pp. 486-490.

    2015 - View publication details

  20. Forge, T.A., Hashimoto, N., Neilsen, D., Kenney, E., and Zebarth, B.J. (2015). "The use of compost as a preplant amendment to minimize impacts of parasitic nematodes and improve soil health and early establishment of red raspberry.", Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 1076, pp. 225-232. doi : 10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1076.26

    2015 - View publication details

Contact

Research facility

Summerland Research and Development Centre
4200 Highway #97
Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0
Canada

Expertise

Agriculture›Nematology
Agriculture›Pathology›Plant pathology
Agriculture›Pest management›Minor use pesticides
Plant›Nematology›Cyst
Plant›Nematology›Vermiform

Affiliations

  • Adjunct Professor, Department of Biology, University of British Columbia-Okanagan
  • Test Site Manager, AAFC Minor Use Pesticides Program
  • Society of Nematologists
  • Canadian Phytopathological Society
  • American Phytopathological Society
  • Soil Ecology Society
  • BC Agricultural Climate Adaptation Research Network

Language

English