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Belowground genotype-phenotype controls on nitrogen use efficiency of a sorghum bioenergy crop


EMSL Project ID
60045

Abstract

Plant-microbe interactions drive nitrogen (N) transformations in soil, and a detailed understanding of these inter-organismal interactions is needed to enhance crop productivity and N use efficiency, and to minimize N losses. Here, we address critical barriers to observing rhizosphere N transformations in real-time by using novel continuous in situ below-ground measurements of volatile metabolites including nitrous oxide (N2O) isotopes, nitric oxide (NO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These measurements, integrated with DOE capabilities in sequencing, metabolomics, and imaging, will allow us to test hypotheses regarding the influence of plant genotype-phenotype connections and plant-microbe interactions on N use efficiency in the biofuel crop sorghum. We request to partner with EMSL’s ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry (FTICR MS), GC-IRMS, ion chromatography, NanoSIMS, MALDI-MSI, GC-MS and NMR capabilities to: 1) Characterize (FTICR MS, 1H-NMR, GC-MS) and visualize (MALDI MSI) root, rhizosphere soil, and unplanted soil metabolomes; 2) Track the incorporation of labeled 15N substrates into roots (NanoSIMS) and rhizosphere soil (15N-NMR); and 3) Characterize bulk 15N (GC-IRMS) and key N-cycling ions (ion chromatography). In parallel, we request to partner with JGI to use shotgun sequencing capabilities to: 1) Characterize the genetic capacity and membership (metagenomes) and gene expression (metatranscriptomes) of rhizosphere and unplanted soil microbiomes over the cropping stages including fertilization; and 2) attempt to track the incorporation of labeled 15N into microbial DNA (DNA-SIP metagenomes). Sample analysis will focus on differentiating between 3 plant genotypes and unplanted soil over cropping stages. There is significant interest in managing soil microbiomes and developing genetic lines of biofuel crops to improve N use efficiency and stave off undesired agroecosystem and economic impacts. Yet, given the importance of plant-microbe interactions in nutrient cycling, microbes and plants cannot be separately managed. This project responds to the current need to develop a detailed understanding of inter-organismal interactions that drive N transformations and loss in soils.

Project Details

Project type
FICUS Research
Start Date
2021-10-01
End Date
2023-10-08
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Laura Meredith
Institution
University of Arizona

Co-Investigator(s)

A. Elizabeth Arnold
Institution
University of Arizona

Joseph Roscioli
Institution
Aerodyne Research Inc

William Pauli
Institution
University of Arizona

Jordan Krechmer
Institution
Aerodyne Research Inc

Joanne Shorter
Institution
Aerodyne Research Inc

Malak Tfaily
Institution
University of Arizona

Team Members

Brittney Gorman
Institution
Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory

Holly Andrews
Institution
University of Arizona