Research Projects

Tomato is the most widely cultivated and economically important vegetable crops globally. Main challenges of tomato productions are abiotic (heat, cold, drought, salinity, nutrient deficiencies) and biotic stresses (bacteria, fungus, virus, and pest), which limit overall yield. Among the most pressing concerns in modern agriculture is plant nutrition. Phosphorus (P) is one of the vital component for plant growth and productivity as it is involved in ATP, nucleic acids, and phospholipid bilayer formation. The deficiency adversely impacts shoot growth, delays maturity, reduces leaf area and number, and impairs resistance to pathogens . Its deficiency is due to its tendency to bind with minerals such as calcium, iron, and aluminum. Plants absorb phosphorus in the form of phosphate ions (PO₄³⁻), its low solubility and uneven distribution in soils remain a major constraint. To compensate the deficiency, chemical fertilizers are applied in large scale, the source of fertilizer is also limited. Majority of applied fertilizer are unused, leading to pollution . Plants evolved strategies like regulation of phosphate transporter genes, modification of root architecture to increase surface area, soil exploration and association of rhizospheric microorganisms, to escalate phosphorus acquisition from the soil. phosphate transporters (PHTs) located in root cells helps in P uptake. The expression of these transporters and other related genes are controlled by PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE 1 (PHR1) transcription factor. PHR1 does it by binding to the P1BS element in the upstream of phosphorus starvation-induced (PSI) genes. Therefore, enhancing the bioavailability of insoluble phosphate in soil has emerged as a critical challenge in both agriculture and forestry. phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) gained significant attention due to their eco-friendly nature, low cost, and high efficiency. PSB solubilize inorganic phosphate compounds through the secretion of organic acids and phosphorus-solubilizing enzymes such as phosphatases and proteases . In this project, we aim to identify and characterize PSB from the rhizospheric soils of banana (Musa spp.) plantations across different regions of West Bengal. Banana, being a perennial crop with a 12-month life cycle, offers a unique system for studying rhizospheric interactions. The reduced frequency of fertilizer application allows natural microbial communities, including PSB, to establish stable and persistent associations with the root zone. The most promising PSB strains (based on phosphate solubilization index) will be tested in tomato plants under controlled laboratory conditions to evaluate their plant growth-promoting potential. Additionally, we will examine the expression of the PHR transcription factor in tomato upon inoculation with PSB to elucidate their role in modulating phosphorus homeostasis at the molecular level.