Analysis of metabolites produced in Glycine max in response to water stress under different microbiomes of dryland soils

• Grant number: 24/05748-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Dini Andreote
• Grantee: Gabriel Moreno Castilho
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/21118-4 - Quantification of citric acid in the rhizosphere of Glycine max under water deficit in contrasting microbiomes from Caatinga and Mata Atlântica soils., BE.EP.IC

Abstract

Drylands, which encompass nearly half of the Earth's surface, are vital ecosystems that host rich biodiversity and sustain millions of people worldwide. However, they face unique challenges due to their aridity and climatic variability, challenges that have been exacerbated by climate change. In Brazil, enhancing soybean production under these conditions has become a growing priority. Given this reality, the search for mechanisms of natural adaptation becomes essential. In this regard, microorganisms and metabolic pathways present in these regions show promising potential to assist agriculture in water-stressed situations. This project aims to investigate the plant-microorganism interaction in a Caatinga biome soil and how this interaction influences the production of metabolites related to water stress, such as Abscisic Acid, Proline, and Trehalose, in soybean plants (Glycine max). Metabolites will be extracted from leaf samples and quantified by liquid chromatography: Abscisic Acid (ABA) by HPLC, Proline by reaction with acidic ninhydrin, and Trehalose by HPLC with light scattering detection after sample treatment. Data will be analyzed for homogeneity and normality, followed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test (p < 0.05) for mean comparison. It is expected that soybean cultivars will respond to microbiome influences, providing viable and efficient agronomic strategies to withstand adverse environmental conditions in a context of climate change and water resource scarcity.