** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** MODERN AGRICULTURE OFTEN RELIES ON HEAVY CHEMICAL INPUTS THAT CAN BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE SURROUNDING ECOSYSTEM. SUSTAINABLE CROPPING PRACTICES ATTEMPT TO LIMIT THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF AGRICULTURE. MANAGEMENT PRACTICES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE SOIL HEALTH ARE BENEFICIAL TO CROPYIELD THROUGH CHANGES IN SOIL MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES. THESE SOIL MICROBES CAN ALSO ALTER THE PLANT'S ABILITY TO DEFEND AGAINST INSECT PESTS. HOWEVER, IT IS UNCLEAR HOW THESE SOIL MICROBES AFFECT PLANT DEFENSEANDINSECT PEST MANAGEMENT. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO INVESTIGATE HOW SOIL MICROBES FROM SOIL HEALTH CONSERVATION FIELDS ALTER CORN ROOT LIGNIN CONTENT, AN INSECT ANTI-NUTRITIVE COMPOUND. WE WILL TEST HOW ALTERED LIGNIN CONTENT AFFECTS THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF WESTERN CORN ROOTWORM (WCR), A DAMAGING PEST OF CORN. WE WILL THEN MEASURE THE RESPONSE OF CORN ROOTS TO DIFFERENT SOIL MICROBIALCOMMUNITIES TO IDENTIFY MICROBES INVOLVED WITH LIGNIN PRODUCTION. THIS KNOWLEDGE WILL PROVIDE BREEDERS VALUABLE INFORMATION ON HOW PLANTS CAN DEFEND AGAINST PESTS AND IDENTIFY NEW TARGETS FOR SEED DEVELOPMENT.ADDITIONALLY, UNDERSTANDING THESE INTERACTIONS ISIMPORTANT FOR FARMERS WHO ARE USING SUSTAINABLE CROPPING PRACTICES ON THEIR FARMS.