Abstract
Nitrogen (N) is crucial for forming proteins, nucleic acids, and chlorophyll, essential for
photosynthesis. Its availability in soil directly impacts plant metabolism, growth, and
productivity. In agriculture, N limitation is often countered with synthetic fertilizers, yet their
excessive use contributes to eutrophication and climate change, necessitating more
sustainable solutions. While microorganisms play key roles in the global N cycle, the influence
of plant-associated microbiomes on N uptake remains poorly understood.
In this project, we investigate how soil microbiomes influence wheat N nutrition. In a preliminary
experiment, microbiomes extracted from 34 donor soils were used to inoculate wheat plants
under low-N conditions in a greenhouse trial. Based on plant phenotypic traits, 14 soils with
contrasting effects on growth were selected for a main experiment, where plants were
inoculated with the donor soils. This experiment included high-N and low-N treatments, as well
as non-inoculated controls. A ¹⁵N tracer experiment was included to assess microbial
contributions to plant N uptake. 16S rRNA gene and ITS amplicon sequencing, along with ¹⁵N
analysis, will further characterize these soils and guide the selection of a subset for
metagenomic analysis.
Currently, microbiomes from the five best-performing soils are being used in a reduced natural
microbial community (NatCom) experiment, where wheat is grown in short cycles to reduce
the diversity within microbial communities and potentially enrich beneficial traits. These
NatComs are engineered by recurrently inoculating plants with rhizosphere microbiomes to
shape their composition. In addition to molecular analyses, isolation focusing on N₂-fixing
microorganisms was performed to provide further insights into potential microbial contributions
to plant N uptake.
By integrating microbiology, plant physiology, and bioinformatics, this project aims to better
understand N transformations in the rhizosphere and plant-microbe interactions while also
developing microbial solutions for improving crop N nutrition and reducing reliance on industrial
fertilizers.
photosynthesis. Its availability in soil directly impacts plant metabolism, growth, and
productivity. In agriculture, N limitation is often countered with synthetic fertilizers, yet their
excessive use contributes to eutrophication and climate change, necessitating more
sustainable solutions. While microorganisms play key roles in the global N cycle, the influence
of plant-associated microbiomes on N uptake remains poorly understood.
In this project, we investigate how soil microbiomes influence wheat N nutrition. In a preliminary
experiment, microbiomes extracted from 34 donor soils were used to inoculate wheat plants
under low-N conditions in a greenhouse trial. Based on plant phenotypic traits, 14 soils with
contrasting effects on growth were selected for a main experiment, where plants were
inoculated with the donor soils. This experiment included high-N and low-N treatments, as well
as non-inoculated controls. A ¹⁵N tracer experiment was included to assess microbial
contributions to plant N uptake. 16S rRNA gene and ITS amplicon sequencing, along with ¹⁵N
analysis, will further characterize these soils and guide the selection of a subset for
metagenomic analysis.
Currently, microbiomes from the five best-performing soils are being used in a reduced natural
microbial community (NatCom) experiment, where wheat is grown in short cycles to reduce
the diversity within microbial communities and potentially enrich beneficial traits. These
NatComs are engineered by recurrently inoculating plants with rhizosphere microbiomes to
shape their composition. In addition to molecular analyses, isolation focusing on N₂-fixing
microorganisms was performed to provide further insights into potential microbial contributions
to plant N uptake.
By integrating microbiology, plant physiology, and bioinformatics, this project aims to better
understand N transformations in the rhizosphere and plant-microbe interactions while also
developing microbial solutions for improving crop N nutrition and reducing reliance on industrial
fertilizers.
| Originalsprache | Englisch |
|---|---|
| Publikationsstatus | Veröffentlicht - Juli 2025 |
| Veranstaltung | BAGECO 2025: 17th Symposium on Bacterial Genetics and Ecology - Graz, Österreich Dauer: 1 Juli 2025 → 4 Juli 2025 https://bageco.org/ |
Konferenz
| Konferenz | BAGECO 2025 |
|---|---|
| Land/Gebiet | Österreich |
| Stadt | Graz |
| Zeitraum | 1/07/25 → 4/07/25 |
| Internetadresse |
Research Field
- Exploration of Biological Resources