Impact of Synthetic Microbial Communities on the Promotion of Growth and Drought Resilience in Common Bean and Soybean

• Grant number: 25/02442-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2029
• 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

Abstract

Extreme climatic events, such as drought resulting from global warming, pose a critical challenge to agriculture, compromising the growth and productivity of essential crops such as soybean (Glycine max L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Water deficiency negatively affects the biochemical and physiological processes of plants, reducing photosynthesis, water-use efficiency, and overall productivity. In this context, strategies such as the development of drought-tolerant cultivars and the manipulation of the rhizosphere microbiome have shown promise in mitigating these effects. Therefore, this project aims to bioprospect and characterize microorganisms associated with drought-tolerant soybean and common bean, with the goal of selecting promising isolates. The proposal includes in vitro and in vivo tests, both with individual isolates and synthetic communities (SynComs), to assess their impact on root growth, drought stress tolerance, and rhizosphere microbiome modulation. Additionally, genomic sequencing of the most efficient isolates will be performed to understand their mechanisms of action, including the production of bioactive metabolites related to root growth promotion and drought stress mitigation. The results may contribute to increasing soybean and common bean resilience to adverse conditions, promoting more sustainable agriculture and strengthening food security. This study also opens perspectives for the development of innovative bioinoculants, aligning with the demands of a growing market and addressing the challenges posed by climate change.