P3: Genetic basis and environmental regulation of rhizosphere microbiome driven crop resilience
Complex genotype by environment interactions (G×E) between crops and microbes at the root-soil interface for structuring rhizosphere-associated microbial communities and their potential impacts on stress (i.e. less water, less nutrients) resilience remain elusive. This project aims to obtain a mechanistic understanding of the interplay of genetic control and environmental regulation of root-microbe interaction.
We will integrate multi-omics (genome, transcriptome, metabolome and microbiome) data by application of genetically diverse plant genotypes and mutants under different soil conditions in the greenhouse but also in the field. We assume that potentially beneficial symbiotic associations could have co-evolved for survival and reproduction during historical adaptation to extremely harsh habitats during crop diffusion and expansion.
Key publication:
- He X, Wang D, Jiang Y, Li M, Delgado-Baquerizo M, McLaughlin C, Marcon C, Guo L, Baer M, Moya YAT., von Wirén N, Deichmann M, Schaaf G, Piepho H-P, Yang Z, Yang J, Yim B, Smalla K, Goormachtig S, de Vries F, Hüging H, Sawers RJH, Reif JC, Hochholdinger F, Chen X, Yu P "Heritable microbiome variation is correlated with source environment in locally adapted maize varieties." Nature Plants. 2024; 10(4): 598–617.