Reprogramming the rice root ecosystem for enhanced stress tolerance

Manipulating the interactions between beneficial soil microbes and roots can enable plants to thrive even in drought conditions. This project aims to discover how a beneficial fungus known to improve plant growth characteristics can positively impact on plant water and nutrient uptake. It will involve identifying key genes and proteins in both the plant and fungus that are involved in these processes. Key players in the soil microbial community that affect the success of fungal additions will also be identified. These discoveries will allow us to develop a sustainable organic biofertiliser to improve plant performance, which is important for our future agricultural and environmental needs.