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Imprint
Spatiotemporal organization of the rhizosphere microbiome shaped by external drivers
Project
Project code: DFG-r 403637238
Contract period: 01.01.2018
- 31.12.2020
Purpose of research: Experimental development
The rhizosphere microbiome is of great importance to plant growth and health and provides various ecosystem services. Despite the progress in our understanding of the composition and functions of the rhizosphere microbiome, its succession and spatial colonization patterns depending on the plant developmental stage and numerous external drivers are poorly understood. We aim to unravel spatiotemporal organization of the rhizosphere microbiome of two corn genotypes depending on the soil (texture) and the presence of plant growth promoting bacteria (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 gfp; Pseudomonas sp. RU47 rfp). This work will be closely linked to research done by other groups involved in the central experiments (column experiments in climate chamber and field experiment) of the PP investigating root exudates, root architecture, soil porosity, water availability and soil aggregates. The microbiome will be analyzed by sequencing 16S rRNA gene and ITS fragments amplified from total community DNA. Quantitative PCR and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) will be used to follow the succession of dynamic taxa (responder) and their 3D-localization on the roots. In order to gain insights into the potential functions, bacterial isolate collections from the rhizosphere of both corn genotypes and soils will be established and their phenotypes and genotypes will be characterized. Fluorescently labeled plant growth promoting strains (FZB42; RU47) will be used as additional external drivers in satellite column experiments. The effects of the inoculants on the corn rhizosphere microbiome, root architecture, exudation patterns and soil aggregate formation will be analyzed at two developmental stages in collaborative effort aiming to keep the spatial context. Abundance of inoculants and responders in different soil depths will be determined by qPCR and their colonization patterns along roots will be unraveled by a specific sampling technique in combination with CLSM or in situ hybridization techniques. Applying the concept of self-organization to the rhizosphere, the particular sampling strategies and the unique interdisciplinary approach will enable us to gain insights into the spatiotemporal distribution of major microbial rhizosphere players and how their colonization patterns are shaped by external drivers.
Section overview
Subjects
- Plant Nutrition
- Soil science
- Climate Change
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics (JKI-EP)
