Research Projects

Plants interact with various bacteria, which can be rhizospheric or phyllospheric. Research has traditionally classified these bacteria into soil pathogens and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). However, recent research has revealed a unique phenomenon called "conditional pathogenesis," where PGPR can become pathogenic towards their host plants under adverse environmental conditions. This phenomenon is not well-accepted, as bacteria can become opportunistic under adversities, such as nutrient deprivation, and turn against the same host they are beneficial to under normal conditions. This phenomenon was demonstrated in the interaction between a stress-tolerant PGPR strain of Pseudomonas putida called AKMP7 and the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. AKMP7, while favoring the growth of A. thaliana under well-watered conditions, becomes detrimental to its growth and overall health under drought conditions. This project aims to study the mechanisms of conditional pathogenesis, focusing on the role of bacterial secretions, heavy isotope labelling studies, and the impact of AKMP7 on plant metabolic and signaling pathways. The findings will contribute significantly to the field of plant-microbe interaction and facilitate the optimal exploitation of PGPR for crop sustenance under the impending crisis of rapid climate change.