Improving the efficiency of water and nitrogen use by crop plants

• Grant number: 15/50109-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2015
• End date: October 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Pant Physiology
• Agreement: University of Oxford
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Helenice Mercier
• Grantee: Helenice Mercier
• Principal researcher abroad: James Andrew Charles Smith
• Institution abroad: University of Oxford, England
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 11/50637-0 - Competence for Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) expression in epiphytic bromeliad: signaling, modulation of expression, transcriptional profile and interaction with the nitrogen metabolism, AP.TEM

Abstract

We are requesting funding for a project entitled “Improving the efficiency of water and nitrogen use by crop plants". This project would consist of two annual components: one visit each year by a postgraduate student from USP to Oxford and one visit each year by the two main researches (from São Paulo to Oxford and from Oxford to São Paulo). Reflecting this structure, the aims of the project will be subdivided into three main components: a) the visiting postgraduate researcher from USP will conduct tests in Oxford to determine whether the newly suggested model for regulation of CAM photosynthesis (and hence plant water-use) by nitrogen availability, endogenous hormones and ROS is broadly applicable to inducible CAM plants; b) as part of the project to be developed in Brazil, during the visit of the Oxford researcher to USP, we will initiate a systematic screening of bromeliads endemic to Southeastern Brazil to identify further species that are potentially capable of switching between CAM and C3 photosynthesis; c) as part of the project to be developed in Oxford, during the visit of the Brazilian researcher to University of Oxford, we will discuss the newly obtained results and plan other assays. During this period we will also begin writing manuscripts and research/funding projects. (AU)