Research Projects

Plants have evolved with a diverse microbial symbiotic network in their rhizosphere, which is crucial for shaping the natural landscape and primary productivity of any ecosystem. Infestation of weeds in agricultural land is a global concern, affecting crop productivity and biodiversity. Aggressive weeds compete for space, resources, and resources, reducing crop yield. Their aggressive behavior and adaptability may be associated with their specific below-ground microbial symbiotic network. Phalaris minor, a competitive weed, is the most noxious in winter crops and is the most noxious in wheat cultivation in Indo-Gangetic plains of India. This proposal focuses on two hypotheses: P. minor recruits specific microbiota in their rhizosphere and disrupts the rhizosphere and root microbiota of wheat, reducing their performance. This project will assess the compositions of root and rhizospheric bacterial microbiota of P. minor and wheat growing separately and together in an agriculture field using culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. The project aims to provide insight into the underlying mechanism of aggressive behavior of weeds and offer potential future directions for controlling and managing weed plant species.