Rhizosphere and synthetic community ecology
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Interdisciplinary Bioscience DTP
Abstract
In agriculture, nitrogen limitation is overcome through the application of nitrogen fertiliser. However, rising production costs coupled with its negative environmental impacts have resulted in a drive to seek novel approaches to supply plants with nitrogen. One such approach is to utilise plant associated N2-fixing bacteria, since economically important crops such as cereals lack a rhizobium-legume like symbiosis. These N2-fixing bacteria form part of a larger class of microbes referred to as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). PGPR colonise the rhizosphere of plants, the region of soil influenced by plant roots, and promote plant growth through a number of mechanisms including biological nitrogen fixation, mineral solubilisation, production of phytochromes and pathogen biocontrol. In this context, PGPR are being formulated into biofertilisers for agricultural use. However, this approach has had limited success with plant genotype, environment and microbial community all shown to influence the effectiveness of these biofertilisers. This work aims to expand our current understanding of how these factors interact at the community level to influence the formation of nodule-independent symbioses between PGPR and their host plant. To do this, synthetic communities consisting of bacteria isolated from the rhizospheres of model plant species will be used in colonisation and plant growth promotion assays to assess how changes in community structure and plant species affect the ability of PGPR to colonise and promote the growth of their host. In addition, genetic screens will be used to further characterise the genetic determinants involved in forming and maintaining a stable nodule-independent symbiosis. It is hoped that a greater understanding of this area may aid efforts to enhance the efficiency of these biofertilisers, thereby contributing to sustainability in agriculture as well as global food security.
BBRSC priority areas addressed by this research
Food, Nutrition and Health
Sustainably Enhancing Agricultural Production
Global Food Security
AFS, ENWW
BBRSC priority areas addressed by this research
Food, Nutrition and Health
Sustainably Enhancing Agricultural Production
Global Food Security
AFS, ENWW
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Gail Preston (Primary Supervisor) |
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M011224/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
1757807 | Studentship | BB/M011224/1 | 01/10/2016 | 31/03/2021 |
Description | 21st Congress on Nitrogen Fixation - 10th-15th Oct 2019, Wuhan, China - Philip Poole |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Phil gave a talk at this international conference. He had many questions on his work and spent time exchanging ideas with colleagues in this research area. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | http://2019icnf.csp.escience.cn/dct/page/65580 |
Description | Development of Poole Lab website (Rhizosphere.org) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The Rhizosphere website is used to describe work performed, profiles lab members, lists outreach activities and celebrates achievements. Also includes a list of Lab publications. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020 |
URL | https://rhizosphere.org |
Description | Rothamsted Research invited seminar - Phil Poole |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Phil gave a lunch-time research seminar. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://rhizosphere.org/lab-news/ |
Description | Super Science Saturday, Oxford Natural History Museum, 10th March 2018 (Sam Aroney, Hayley Knights) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Science outreach day in Natural History museum - for school children and general public. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Talk About Plants |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Talk About Plants involved running a series of evening talks / seminars with a focus on plant sciences. They were aimed at A Level biology students with approx. 20-30 individuals attending each session. The purpose was to show students the scope of plant sciences as a topic, something which they miss out on from the taught A Level course. These sessions resulted in many questions being asked to both the speaker and us as facilitators as well as groups discussion amongst the students themselves. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Twitter account Rhizosphere @PooleLabOxford |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Twitter account to publicise the work of the Poole Lab |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019,2020 |
URL | https://twitter.com |