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. Hannam, K.D., Forge, T.A., Neilsen, G.H., Neilsen, D., Jones, M.D., and Nichol, C.K. (2014). "Implications of irrigation and soil amendment practices for soil nutrient dynamics and yield in a young Merlot grape (Vitis vinifera) vineyard.", 2014 CSSS Annual Meeting, Banff, Alberta, Canada. (Abstract)

    2014 - View publication details

  2. Forge, T.A., Neilsen, D., and Neilsen, G.H. (2014). "PARC Research update-root zone ecology and management.", Cherry Notes Newsletter of the British Columbia Cherry Association(January), pp. 6-7.

    2014 - View publication details

  3. Forge, T.A., Neilsen, G.H., Neilsen, D., and Hogue, E.J. (2014). "Assessing soil health for tree-fruit and vine crops.", 2013 Washington State Horticultural Association 109th Annual Meetings, Wenatchee, WA, USA, December 2-4, 2013.

    2014 - View publication details

  4. Loo, S., Ryan, M.C., Zebarth, B.J., and Forge, T.A. (2014). "Quantifying the impact of an individual agricultural field on groundwater nitrate.", Geological Society of America Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, October 19-22, 2014. (Abstract)

    2014 - View publication details

  5. Neilsen, D., Neilsen, G.H., and Forge, T.A. (2014). "Dwarfing rootstocks and training systems affect initial growth, cropping and nutrition in Skeena sweet cherry.", 29th International Hort. Congress, Australia, http://www.ihc2014.org/Abstract, pp. 95. (Abstract)

    2014 - View publication details

  6. Neilsen, G.H., Neilsen, D., Kappel, F., and Forge, T.A. (2014). "Interaction of irrigation and soil management on sweet cherry productivity and fruit quality at different crop loads that simulate those occurring by environmental extremes.", HortScience, 49(2), pp. 215-220.

    2014 - View publication details

  7. Hannam, K.D., Neilsen, G.H., Neilsen, D., Forge, T.A., Jones, M.J., Nichol, C.F., and Fentabil, M. (2014). "Soil nutrient dynamics and yield in a young Merlot grape (Vitis vinifera L.) vineyard; implications of irrigation and soil amendment practices.", ASA, CSSA and SSSA International Annual Meeting 2014, Long Beach, CA, USA, November 2-5, 2014, Number 139-8. (Abstract)

    2014 - View publication details

  8. Forge, T.A., Neilsen, G.H., and Neilsen, D. (2014). "Assessing soil health for tree fruit and vine crops.", 109th Annual Meeting, Wenatchee, WA, USA, pp. 329-334.

    2014 - View publication details

  9. Forge, T.A., Neilsen, D., and Neilsen, G.H. (2014). "PARC Research update-root zone ecology and management.", Cherry Notes Newsletter of the British Columbia Cherry Association(January), pp. 6-7. (Newsletter)

    2014 - View publication details

  10. Forge, T.A., Neilsen, G.H., Broersma, K., and Neilsen, D. (2014). "Application of municipal biosolids alters the structure of nematode communities in rangeland soils in the southern interior of British Columbia.", Annual meeting of the Canadian Soil Science Society, Banff, Alberta, Canada, May 4-7, 2014. (Abstract)

    2014 - View publication details

  11. Hannam, K.D., Jones, M.D., Neilsen, D., Midwood, A., Forge, T.A., Neilsen, G.H., and Millard, P. (2014). "Bicarbonates in irrigation water can alter the C13 signature and rate of soil respiration-evidence from a 10 year-old apple orchard in the Okanagan valley, British Columbia.", 2014 CSSS Annual Meeting, Banff, Alberta, Canada. (Abstract)

    2014 - View publication details

  12. Forge, T., Walters, T., Koch, C. (2014). Use of composted dairy manure solids mulch for raspberry: Influences on soil nematode communities and N and P availability. Compost Science & Utilization, [online] 22(4), 230-241. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1065657X.2014.930677

    2014 - View publication details

  13. Neilsen, G., Forge, T., Angers, D., Neilsen, D., Hogue, E. (2014). Suitable orchard floor management strategies in organic apple orchards that augment soil organic matter and maintain tree performance. Plant and Soil, [online] 378(1-2), 325-335. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11104-014-2034-8

    2014 - View publication details

  14. Ehret, D.L., Frey, B., Forge, T., Helmer, T., Bryla, D.R., Zebarth, B.J. (2014). Effects of nitrogen rate and application method on early production and fruit quality in highbush blueberry. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, [online] 94(7), 1165-1179. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJPS2013-401

    2014 - View publication details

  15. Neilsen, D., Neilsen, G.H., and Forge, T.A. (2013). Report of cooperative regional project NC-140 / British Columbia: Improving economic and environmental sustainability in tree fruit production through changes in cherry rootstock use. http://www.nc140.org/annualreports.html. (Report)

    2013 - View publication details

  16. Forge, T.A., Temple, W., and Bomke, A.A. (2013). "Using compost as mulch for highbush blueberry.", Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 1001, pp. 369-376.

    2013 - View publication details

  17. Forge, T.A., Neilsen, G.H., Neilsen, D., O'Gorman, D.T., Hogue, E.J., Angers, D.A., and Bissonnette, N. (2013). "Organic orchard soil management practices affect soil biology and organic matter", II International symposium of organic matter management and compost use in horticulture III Workshop of bioproducts for agriculture and III Workshop of Ibero-american network for biological fertilizers for agriculture, Santiago, Chile, pp. 31.

    2013 - View publication details

  18. Neilsen, G.H., Forge, T.A., Neilsen, D., O'Gorman, D.T., and Bissonnette, N. (2013). "Soil and nutrient management in organic orchard production.", ASA/CSSA/SSSA International annual meeting, Tampa, Florida, USA, November 3-6, 2013, SSSA division soil fertility and plant nutrition, Abstract 133-9, pp. 103. (Abstract)

    2013 - View publication details

  19. Neilsen, D., Neilsen, G.H., Forge, T.A., and Cline, J.A. (2013). "The effects of crop load and water stress on yield and fruit quality of sweet cherry cultivars.", ASHS Annual Conference, HortSci. Supplement: S213. (Abstract)

    2013 - View publication details

  20. Forge, T.A., Walters, T.W., Particka, M., and Koch, C.A. (2013). "Use of dairy manure solids as mulch for establishment of red raspberry: influences on soil nematode communities and N and P availability.", CSSS/MSSS/CSAFM 2013 Annual Meeting, Winnipeg, MB., Canada, June 22-25, 2013, pp. 101. (Abstract)

    2013 - 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