Investigation of the microbiome associated with the Brassica napus rhizosphere and its application in synthetic microbial communities

Plant roots live in close association with diverse communities of microbes, including prokaryotes such as bacteria, and eukaryotes such as fungi, which together constitute the root 'micro-biome'. These microbes are selectively recruited from the diverse communities which inhabit soil as a result of their growth on carbon exuded from roots. Root associated microbes interact with the plant in a myriad of ways; some act as symbionts which promote plant growth, while others are parasites which can have deleterious impacts on growth and development. As a result, understanding and harnessing interactions in the root zone (termed the 'rhizosphere') has enormous importance for ensuring food and energy security. Previous studies have noted that engineering of plant associated microbial communities and creation of synthetic communities can be used to promote plant health and fitness. Other studies have been able to create synthetic communities of plant associated bacteria which are ecologically and functionally relevant. In this project we aim to identify the core rhizosphere micro-biome of the economically important crop Oilseed rape in order to construct synthetic microbial communities which are representative of the rhizosphere core micro-biome. Such communities can then be utilised in a variety of plant-microbe interaction studies with an aim to help improve crop fitness and health.