Research Projects

The fundamental understanding of microbial physiology and chemical biology driving microbes-mineral interactions under the influence of root exudates is necessary since the nutrients crosstalk between plant-microbes-minerals could profoundly impact plant physiology and climate resilience. Phosphorus(P)-deficiency in plants has been recognized for negatively impacting crop yields especially in arid zones. There are challenges of optimal P-delivery to plants without extra loading of rock phosphate(RP)-fertilizer. The microbes-mineral interactions in top-(10-20 cm depth) and sub-soil(30- 50 cm) under the influence of P-deficient plant root exudates (REs) may provide sustainable solution for P-delivery to plants. There is also a substantial benefit towards a more comprehensive mode of nutrient uptake and root architecture for stress resilience through potentiating both lateral root and deep primary roots. As a strategy for comprehensive P-mineral resource utilization across soil layers, majority of the aerobic studies are applicable to top-soil, however, upper Subsoil P-resources remain to be addressed through understanding the posible anoxic microbes-P-mineral interactions. By developing a scientific understanding and exploring modes to utilize the RP resources, India could manage the rising P demand to match the high yield. Therefore, to combat P-deficiency in plants, microbes solubilizing inorganic RP in both top and upper sub-soil under the influence of P-deficient plant (maize) root exudate may serve the purpose. Using mesh bag technique, top- and sub-soil microbes-RP interactions will be captured from the 2-4 weeks seedling from maize fields of arid- and semi-arid agro-climatic zones of Gujarat (3-5 samples each). Maize (Z. mays GM-6) was chosen as an experimental system due to its P-dependent root and shoot growth responses & compatibility for lab studies. A lab-scale microcosm of plant-mineral-microbes for characterizing the effect of P-deficient maize root exudate influencing microbes-RP interactions will be developed. The enriched microbes-RP interactions will be characterized further. Root exudate's untargeted metabolomic profiling will determine the critical components, and microbial-secreted metabolites contributing to P-solubilization will be identified. Depth-specific RP-interacting microbiomes having potential P-solubilization and mapping their nutrient preferences by community-level physiological profiling using Biolog Ecoplate corroborating to root exudates metabolites could formulate a strategy for a bio-stimulation to boost the P-release. Using culturomics, bioprospecting of depth-resolved RP-solubilizing microbes' genomic and functional characterization could develop an effective P-biofertilizer. The plant growth parameters, biomass elemental mapping and photosynthesis monitoring comparison between treatments of RP, RP-microbes and bio-stimulant will evaluate the outcome of effective P-delivery to plants.