Elucidation of the Roles of Diazotrophic EndoPopulus: Endophyte Communities in Promoting Productivity and Resilience of Populus through Systems Biology Approaches (EndoPopulus)
EMSL Project ID
61009
Abstract
The plant microbiome, including microbial endophytes living within plants and the epiphytes living on the plant surface, has a profound influence on the productivity and resilience of the host plant. When grown in their native riparian habitats, poplar (Populus) and willow (Salix) of the Salicaceae family have a diverse microbiome that provides services including fixation of dinitrogen gas, phosphate solubilization, and promotion of overall plant growth and health under abiotic and biotic stresses. Addition of a consortium of bacteria and yeast strains from wild poplar and willow to cultivated poplar and other plant species likewise increases plant growth, rooting, resource use efficiency (e.g., water and nitrogen), and drought tolerance. The overall goal of this proposed work is to investigate the roles and molecular mechanisms of endophytes in supporting productivity and fitness of Populus. Using systems-biology approaches at both lab and field scales, we will identify the molecular and physiological impacts of the bio-inoculants on the host plant in responding to nutrient and water limitation, and determine if bio-inoculants not only increase plant nutrient stores but also “prime” plants for tolerance and resilience to abiotic stresses. Our goals include identifying the molecular mechanisms of enhanced plant production and fitness by diazotrophic endophytes. We will then integrate the plant physiology data with the molecular plant-microbe interactions data to develop a systems-level understanding of the genetic and molecular basis for diazotrophic endophytic mutualism in Populus. This deeper level of understanding of the plant responses will guide construction of microbial communities that best prime plant pathways for enduring abiotic stresses to optimize the impacts of bioinoculants for environmental sustainability and vigor of bioenergy crops.
Project Details
Start Date
2023-11-14
End Date
N/A
Status
Active
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Co-Investigator(s)
Team Members