About

Paulo Pagliari is a Professor in the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate at the University of Minnesota. His research focuses on understanding the relationship between soil fertility status and soil biological processes, and how this interaction affects crop yield in both conventional and organic cropping systems. His work emphasizes the role of key nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, and how microbial activity influences their availability in soils. One of his current projects aims to better understand this relationship by using enzymes as surrogates for microbial activity. Additionally, he investigates increasing crop diversity to improve soil health in vegetable production under organic high tunnels. Beyond research, he holds an extension appointment where he extends research findings from Southwest Minnesota to stakeholders, contributing to practical agricultural improvements.

Research topics

• Agronomy
• Biology
• Environmental science
• Ecology
• Animal science
• Biotechnology
• Veterinary medicine
• Economics
• Agricultural engineering
• Soil science
• Waste management
• Food science
• Medicine
• Materials science
• Chemistry
• Agricultural science
• Mathematics
• Engineering
• Agroforestry

Selected publications

• Genomic characterization of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from small ruminants in integrated crop-livestock systems

  BMC Microbiology · 2026-01-06

  articleOpen access

  Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), a foodborne pathogen shed by asymptomatic ruminants, poses a contamination risks in integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS), where ruminants are introduced to graze cover crops prior to replanting fresh produce in a field. As a follow-up study, we conducted whole genome sequencing of 30 L. monocytogenes isolates obtained from sheep and goat fecal and soil samples collected during our previously published ICLS field trial studies (2019-2022) at organic farms in California and Minnesota. One goat fecal isolate was genetically identical to one soil isolate collected at seven days post-grazing. Most isolates (28/30, 93.3%) belonged to lineage I, specifically to serogroup IVb or IVb-v1, and were classified as CC1 or CC554, both clonal complexes previously associated with human listeriosis outbreaks. The majority of isolates harbored virulence associated genes, including LIPI-1 or LIPI-3 genes, and agrA, associated with biofilm formation and survival in agricultural soils. In antimicrobial susceptibility testing, all isolates were susceptible to antibiotics commonly used to treat ruminant and human listeriosis, including ampicillin and penicillin. These findings suggest that asymptomatic small ruminants in ICLS may introduce pathogenic L. monocytogenes strains into the agricultural environment, posing a potential contamination risk to fresh produce despite the low overall prevalence observed.

  PublisherDOI

• Additional file 1 of Genomic characterization of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from small ruminants in integrated crop-livestock systems

  Figshare · 2026-01-01

  datasetOpen access

  Supplementary Material 1.

  PublisherDOI

• Managing soil sustainably on small-scale vegetable farms: Lessons learned from high tunnel and open field vegetable production

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2026-01-28 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  ABSTRACT Small-scale vegetable farms are increasingly important to local food systems, but the soils on these farms are not well understood, particularly in high tunnel production environments. Therefore, this study aimed to 1. Compare soil nutrients and soil health metrics in high tunnels and nearby open fields. 2. Document soil nutrient accumulation on diversified vegetable farms and assess loss potential. 3. Explore the impacts of specific management practices (input use, cover crops, tillage, and soil testing) and farm demographics on a variety of soil health and soil nutrient metrics. Just under half of the high tunnels in this study had soluble salt accumulation, which was associated with higher soil nitrate concentrations. The pH of many high tunnel soils was above the optimal range for crop production, which was correlated with irrigation water alkalinity. Some high tunnel soils had rapid water infiltration rates, with implications for irrigation water management. Both high tunnel and open field soil were rich in nutrients compared with other Minnesota farms. Preliminary assessments suggested risks to surface and groundwater from nutrient runoff and leaching. While farmer experience and more years in vegetable production were negatively associated with soil health metrics, management practices including reduced tillage, organic management, and application of plant-based compost were positively associated with soil health. Cation exchange capacity and permanganate oxidizable carbon did not provide significantly more insight than simply measuring organic matter. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spore counts were inconclusive, but aggregate stability and bulk density were responsive to farmer reported soil management activities. Core ideas High tunnel soil tends to be rich in nutrients and organic matter. They also accumulate soluble salts, likely from excess inputs Irrigation water routinely tested high in pH and alkalinity. These factors may explain high soil pH in high tunnels. Small-scale vegetable farms often have high concentrations of soil nutrients in both high tunnels and open fields, with potential to cause environmental contamination through leaching and runoff Vegetable production may be inherently hard on soil health, but conservation practices including reduced tillage, organic management, and use of plant-based composts can improve soil health in these production systems

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Genomic characterization of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from small ruminants in integrated crop-livestock systems

  Figshare · 2026-01-01

  otherOpen access

  Abstract Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), a foodborne pathogen shed by asymptomatic ruminants, poses a contamination risks in integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS), where ruminants are introduced to graze cover crops prior to replanting fresh produce in a field. As a follow-up study, we conducted whole genome sequencing of 30 L. monocytogenes isolates obtained from sheep and goat fecal and soil samples collected during our previously published ICLS field trial studies (2019—2022) at organic farms in California and Minnesota. One goat fecal isolate was genetically identical to one soil isolate collected at seven days post-grazing. Most isolates (28/30, 93.3%) belonged to lineage I, specifically to serogroup IVb or IVb-v1, and were classified as CC1 or CC554, both clonal complexes previously associated with human listeriosis outbreaks. The majority of isolates harbored virulence associated genes, including LIPI-1 or LIPI-3 genes, and agrA, associated with biofilm formation and survival in agricultural soils. In antimicrobial susceptibility testing, all isolates were susceptible to antibiotics commonly used to treat ruminant and human listeriosis, including ampicillin and penicillin. These findings suggest that asymptomatic small ruminants in ICLS may introduce pathogenic L. monocytogenes strains into the agricultural environment, posing a potential contamination risk to fresh produce despite the low overall prevalence observed.

  PublisherDOI

• Additional file 1 of Genomic characterization of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from small ruminants in integrated crop-livestock systems

  Open MIND · 2026-01-01

  dataset

  Supplementary Material 1.

  DOI

• Genomic characterization of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from small ruminants in integrated crop-livestock systems

  Figshare · 2026-01-01

  otherOpen access

  Abstract Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), a foodborne pathogen shed by asymptomatic ruminants, poses a contamination risks in integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS), where ruminants are introduced to graze cover crops prior to replanting fresh produce in a field. As a follow-up study, we conducted whole genome sequencing of 30 L. monocytogenes isolates obtained from sheep and goat fecal and soil samples collected during our previously published ICLS field trial studies (2019—2022) at organic farms in California and Minnesota. One goat fecal isolate was genetically identical to one soil isolate collected at seven days post-grazing. Most isolates (28/30, 93.3%) belonged to lineage I, specifically to serogroup IVb or IVb-v1, and were classified as CC1 or CC554, both clonal complexes previously associated with human listeriosis outbreaks. The majority of isolates harbored virulence associated genes, including LIPI-1 or LIPI-3 genes, and agrA, associated with biofilm formation and survival in agricultural soils. In antimicrobial susceptibility testing, all isolates were susceptible to antibiotics commonly used to treat ruminant and human listeriosis, including ampicillin and penicillin. These findings suggest that asymptomatic small ruminants in ICLS may introduce pathogenic L. monocytogenes strains into the agricultural environment, posing a potential contamination risk to fresh produce despite the low overall prevalence observed.

  PublisherDOI

• Residual Effects of Cover Crop Species, Tillage, and Manure Application on Corn Yield and Soil Nitrogen Dynamics in Organic Management Systems

  Agronomy · 2026-01-13 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Nitrogen (N) management remains a primary challenge in organic grain systems, particularly in rotations where heavy N-consuming crops, such as corn and wheat, follow one another. Daikon radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is widely adopted for its ability to scavenge residual soil nitrate between cash crops; yet the subsequent availability of scavenged N to the following crop is inconsistent and often negligible. This 4-year field study (2014–2017) at the University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center evaluated whether planting daikon radish in polyculture with berseem clover, and either annual oats or winter rye could improve N retention and timed release compared to daikon radish monoculture. Three cover crop treatments were tested across three common organic management systems: no manure with no tillage, manure with tillage, and manure plus shallow tillage incorporation before cover crop seeding. Polycultures, especially those including winter rye, produced significantly more fall biomass (up to 6435 kg ha−1) than daikon radish monoculture (573–1272 kg ha−1). Manure incorporation consistently increased total and daikon radish biomass, as well as the percent living cover. Despite substantial biomass differences, mid-season and fall soil inorganic N, potentially mineralizable N, permanganate-oxidizable C, and enzyme activities showed few consistent treatment effects. Corn grain yield was highest following manure with tillage incorporation but was significantly reduced after the winter rye polyculture in all years, likely due to N immobilization and delayed corn planting caused by late rye termination under wet spring conditions. Results indicate that while polycultures with winter rye maximize biomass and soil cover, they do not reliably enhance N recycling to the subsequent organic corn crop and can reduce yield.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Precipitation influences pre‐sidedress soil nitrate thresholds for corn production

  Soil Science Society of America Journal · 2025-05-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Minnesota is a leading corn ( Zea mays L.) producer in the United States, requiring substantial nitrogen (N) inputs for optimal yields. Using an in‐season critical soil nitrate (NO 3 − ‐N) concentration threshold to adjust fertilization rates can improve N management and reduce environmental impacts. This study assessed corn grain yield response to in‐season (i.e., V4–V6 corn development stage) soil NO 3 − ‐N concentration to establish a critical pre‐sidedress soil NO 3 − ‐N test (PSNT) under Minnesota conditions. Data included were obtained from 34 field experiments conducted from 2012 to 2019 across the major corn production regions of Minnesota. Relationships between PSNT and relative corn grain yield were analyzed using a quadratic‐plateau regression model. Across the entire dataset, a PSNT of 20 ± 2.5 mg NO 3 − ‐N kg −1 soil was the critical level to reach 97% of maximum corn grain yield. To increase suboptimum PSNT concentrations up to the critical threshold, application of 13.8 ± 2.4 kg N ha −1 is needed per 1 mg kg −1 increase in soil NO 3 − ‐N concentration based on pre‐/at planting N application, but validation is needed for actual sidedress applications. When precipitation was lower or greater than the 30‐year mean, the critical PSNT value was 21.5 or 17.4 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. Nonetheless, the 20 ± 2.5 mg NO 3 − ‐N kg −1 PSNT critical value is applicable across the state as limited model improvements were achieved when the data were segregated according to soil characteristics, location, corn material, and/or previous crop.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Adjuvant effects on spray deposition and efficacy of diquat and glufosinate against Euphorbia heterophylla and Digitaria insularis

  Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection · 2025-12-24

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Serial Dilution and EDTA Extraction Indicate Probable Phosphorus Minerals in Dairy, Goat, Swine, and Poultry Manure

  Agronomy · 2025-06-20 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  The probable solid phases controlling phosphorus (P) salts solubility in goat, swine, chicken, and dairy manures were investigated using chemical modeling software, Visual Minteq, coupled with serial dilution and EDTA extraction. In the serial dilution scheme, the manure (wet weight) to water ratios (MWR) used were 1:1, 1:2, 1:5, 1:10, 1:50, and 1:100. The EDTA concentrations used were 1, 5, and 10 mmol L−1 at the 1:50 MWR. The total elemental concentrations in serially diluted samples were measured by ICP-OES, while in the EDTA extracts concentrations were measured by ICP-OES and P was also measured by the molybdate blue-P method. The percentage of total P dissolved from goat, swine, chicken, and dairy manure using serial dilution at 1:10 MWR was 4, 6, 7, and 34% of the total P; while at 1:100 MWR it was 44, 35, 36, and 65%, respectively. Chemical modeling suggested that between 1:1 to 1:10 MWR, Mg-phosphates, primarily struvite, was the probable solid phase controlling P salts solubility in all manures, except dairy. At the 1:50 and 1:100 MWR, the solid phases controlling P solubility shifted from Mg-phosphate to Ca-phosphate minerals in goat, swine, and chicken manures. The use of ICP or molybdate blue for chemical modeling showed the same solid phases in the EDTA extracts. From the EDTA extractions, it was determined that 5 mmol L−1 EDTA lowered Ca and Mg activities that no mineral phases likely remained in goat, swine, and chicken manures. In conclusion, under the conditions of this study, P dissolution from salts present in manure is controlled by the cation concentration in solution.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Fernando Shintate Galindo

  Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)

  21 shared

• Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho

  Universidade de São Paulo

  15 shared

• Patrick Zawadzki

  Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina

  12 shared

• Jeffrey S. Strock

  University of Minnesota

  12 shared

• Willian Lima Rodrigues

  Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)

  10 shared

• Guilherme Carlos Fernandes

  Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)

  10 shared

• Carl J. Rosen

  9 shared

• Salatiér Buzetti

  Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)

  8 shared

Education

• MS, Soil Water and Climate

  University of Minnesota

  2008

• BS, Agronomy

  Universidade Estadual de Maringá

  2004