Functional profile of the drought-tolerant common bean rhizosphere microbiome

• Grant number: 22/00552-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: February 01, 2022
• End date: July 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Lucas William Mendes
• Grantee: Ana Vitória Reina da Silva
• Host Institution: Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/16043-7 - Rhizosphere microbiome of the drought tolerant common bean, AP.PFPMCG.JP
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/00429-9 - Unearthing the secrets of the Rhizosphere: unlocking the potential of microbial functional genes for drought-resistant agriculture, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

A major problem in the world's agricultural production is water stress since the main agricultural regions in the world are affected by drought, causing negative impacts on the economy and society. The crop genetic improvement aimed at drought tolerance has received much attention in recent years and new research has provided information on the ability of soil microorganisms to influence water stress tolerance in plants. However, in nature, plants interact simultaneously with many beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms, showing the need to understand the effect of these diverse interactions on the plant's ability to overcome abiotic stresses. New research is revealing that the rhizosphere microbiome plays an important role in plant functioning, influencing physiology and development. Even though its importance for plant growth is already widely known, for most rhizosphere microorganisms there is still not much information. Thus, this project seeks to study the common bean rhizosphere microbiome to identify microbial groups and functions that help the plant overcome water stress. For this, drought-tolerant and susceptible common bean cultivars will be grown in a greenhouse under normal and water stress conditions. In this project, the functional profile of the rhizosphere microbiome will be evaluated through metagenomics. The results will contribute to a better understanding of plant-microorganism interactions and their role in helping the plant to tolerate water stress, seeking to identify microbial groups and functions with potential biotechnological use. Considering the importance of soil microorganisms in biogeochemical cycles and the promotion of plant health and growth, the approach of a study focused on microbial ecology is extremely necessary for the development of new methods that help agricultural and sustainable productivity.