SICKSOIL is an interdisciplinary research project at the University of Oslo that investigates why soils in fruit production sometimes lose the ability to support healthy plant growth—a condition commonly referred to as “soil sickness.” Even when physical and chemical properties appear normal, yields can decline due to imbalances in the microbial life of the soil.
We use DNA-based methods, especially metagenomics, to map soil microbes and detect microbial dysbiosis—disturbances in the microbial community. We also examine how this is related to levels of soil organic carbon (SOC), which is crucial for soil structure, fertility, and long-term carbon storage.
The project focuses on apple, cherry, and plum production, and is conducted in close collaboration with farmers, advisory services, and public institutions. Our goal is to develop knowledge and tools to diagnose and restore soil health—supporting both food production and climate-friendly agriculture through carbon sequestration.
Partners
Kamran Shalchian-Tabrizi (UiO)
Project leader and professor of biology at the University of Oslo. He has broad expertise in genetics, microbiology, ecology, evolutionary biology, and bioinformatics, and has led several research and innovation projects on soil health. He leads WPs 1, 2, and 4, and co-leads WP3 and WP5.
Erik Hjerde (UiT)
Researcher at the University of Tromsø with a PhD in genomics. He is an expert on prokaryotes, metagenomics, and bioinformatics, and serves as the Norwegian node leader for ELIXIR and contributor to the EU project CONVERGE. He participates in DNA analysis in WP4.
Bjørnar Hassel (Oslo University Hospital)
Professor and neurologist at Oslo University Hospital. His research focuses on brain infections and biochemical analysis. He contributes to WP3 by interpreting biological effects and compounds in soil organic matter.
Jon Bråte (UiO / Norwegian Institute of Public Health)
Associate professor at UiO and researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. His research focuses on microbial biodiversity, symbiosis, and viruses. He contributes to viral data analysis in WP2 and bioinformatics in WP4.
Carsten Müller (University of Copenhagen)
Associate professor at the University of Copenhagen. He studies carbon and nitrogen cycling, rhizosphere processes, and soil structure. He leads WP3 and co-leads WP4.
Gerrit Angst (Biology Centre CAS, Czech Republic)
Researcher with expertise in soil chemistry and organic matter. He applies soil fractionation and biomarker analysis techniques to study the origin and stability of soil carbon. He contributes to WP3 and WP4.
Trond Bergskås (Telefrukt)
Cherry farmer and managing director of Telefrukt producer network. He leads a major innovation project on soil health in fruit production and heads WP5 in SICKSOIL. He ensures the project is grounded in real-world farming needs.
Farmers advisors
SICKSOIL works closely with advisors from the Norwegian Agricultural Extension Service (NLR), who play a key role in connecting research with farming practice.
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Anne Kari Heen, national coordinator for fruit and berries in NLR, contributes strategic insight and coordination.
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Jop Westplate, advisor in NLR Østafjells,
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Irén Lunde Sekse, advisor in NLR Vest,
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Gaute Myren, advisor in NLR Viken,
These advisors bring valuable local knowledge from fruit-growing regions and help ensure the research remains relevant and applicable to the agricultural sector.
Researchers in the project
Sabrina Schultze
Environmental biologist with a PhD in ecotoxicology. She has studied how land-derived organic matter influences contaminant uptake in aquatic organisms. In SICKSOIL, she works on experimental design and analysis of soil organic matter, contributing to our understanding of plant health and microbial dynamics.
Stefaniya Kamenova Kamenova
Molecular ecologist specializing in DNA-based methods for studying food webs and microbiomes. She has developed diagnostic tools to analyze diets and host-parasitoid interactions in both temperate and Arctic ecosystems. In SICKSOIL, she contributes to microbial analyses and the development of methods to understand interactions between soil, microbes, and plants.
Kristina Grin
Molecular biologist with experience in DNA sequencing, species identification, and microalgal diversity in marine ecosystems. She previously studied Arctic phytoplankton and ice algae in the Barents Sea, focusing on taxonomy and biogeography. In SICKSOIL, she works with DNA sample preparation, sequencing, and lab analysis.