Xinyi extracting soil microbial DNA. By Elena Leander

Indeterminate nodules growing on the roots of Medicago italica. By Ninjatacoshell

Plasmodial slime mold threads on rotting wood. By C. Vecchio

Spinifex grass rings. By Ken Griffiths, Getty

“The Power of the Unseen Majority – How Soil Microbes Shape the Nature We See”

Xinyi Yan (Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Graduate Program)

Do you like mushrooms or beans? Have you heard of companion planting or intercropping?

The common theme uniting these two seemingly unrelated questions is soil microbes. You have (likely) not seen them, but they are everywhere and play a crucial role in shaping nature and everyone’s life. We probably have learned to think of microbes as pathogens, but that is a totally incomplete picture! Come and learn about the multiple ways soil microbes influence growth of individual plants, assembly of plant communities and our daily life.

Science Under the Stars is a free public outreach lecture series in Austin, Texas. The talk will be held outdoors at Brackenridge Field Laboratory, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, Texas 78703.

SUtS requests that visitors follow CDC and UT Austin-recommended guidelines to ensure the safety of all in attendance.

For those who still prefer to attend virtually, SUtS will be streaming the talk live on their YouTube channel. Please tune in at 8pm CT. Feel free to post questions for the speaker in the comments and email scienceunderthestars@gmail.com with any issues.

**In order to be notified of changes in the program, due to inclement weather or for other reasons, you can subscribe to their emails, their blog, their YouTube channel or their social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) **

Here’s the schedule for this month’s event:

• 6:00 pm: Kid’s activities and natural history displays of local animals and plants found at Brackenridge Field Laboratory 
• 6:15 pm-6:45 pm: Guided tour of the field lab (wear sturdy shoes and bring water)!
• 7:00 pm: Settle in, because the talk begins now!
• 7:45 pm: Q&A with the speaker