Comprehension of belowground competition between plant species is a central part in understanding the complex interactions in intercropped agricultural systems, between crops and weeds as well as in natural ecosystems. So far, no simple and rapid method for species discrimination of roots in the soil exists. We will be developing a method for root discrimination of various species based on Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR)-Attenuated Total Reflexion (ATR) Spectroscopy and expanding its application to the field. The absorbance patterns of FTIR-ATR spectra represent the chemical sample composition like an individual fingerprint. By means of multivariate methods, spectra will be grouped according to spectral and chemical similarity in order to achieve species discrimination. We will investigate pea and oat roots as well as maize and barnyard grass roots using various cultivars/proveniences grown in the greenhouse. Pea and oat are recommendable species for intercropping to achieve superior grain and protein yields in an environmentally sustainable manner. To evaluate the effects of intercropping on root distribution in the field, root segments will be measured directly at the soil profile wall using a mobile FTIR spectrometer. By extracting the main root compounds (lipids, proteins, carbohydrates) and recording their FTIR-ATR spectra as references, we will elucidate the chemical basis of species-specific differences.
Die landwirtschaftliche Pflanzenproduktion ist ein ressourcenintensiver Prozess, der durch den Klimawandel zunehmend beeinträchtigt wird. Lösungen für eine nachhaltigere und widerstandsfähigere Art der Pflanzenproduktion sind daher dringend erforderlich. Pflanzenwurzeln sind ein Lebensraum für hochkomplexe mikrobielle Gemeinschaften, und Pflanzen profitieren von intimen Interaktionen mit diesen Mikroben. Einige Mikroben vermitteln nicht nur die Toleranz gegenüber Klimastress, sondern können auch die Pflanzenernährung verbessern. Während es den Nutzen von Mikroben für die Aufrechterhaltung der Pflanzenproduktion anzeigt, erfüllen Feldanwendungen mit einzelnen nützlichen Mikroben oft nicht ihre nützlichen Aktivitäten, die unter Laborbedingungen beobachtet werden. In vorangegangenen gemeinsamen Studien haben wir festgestellt, dass das knötchenbildende Bakterium Sinorhizobium meliloti WSM1022 die Leguminose Medicago truncatula in verschiedenen Bodentypen sehr effizient mit Stickstoff (N) versorgt. Darüber hinaus haben wir herausgefunden, dass WSM1022 das Wurzelmikrobiom modulieren können, um ein Mini-Mikrobiom zu bilden, das wir zusammen mit WSM1022 als N-Biom definiert haben. Zusätzlich zur Unterstützung der N-Fixierung scheint das N-Biom weitere nützliche Effekte auf M. truncatula zu übertragen. In diesem Projekt wollen wir die Robustheit des N-Bioms und der Symbiose von M. truncatula unter verschiedenen N-Regimen und Trockenheit als vorherrschenden Klimastress im Gewächshaus mit Ackerboden evaluieren. Wir werden die Effizienz der Knötchenbildung und N-Fixierung, des Pflanzenwachstums und der Pflanzenentwicklung sowie die Expression von Symbiose- und Trockenstress-Markergenen quantifizieren, um die funktionelle Robustheit der N-Biom-M. truncatula-Symbiose zu bewerten. Darüber hinaus werden wir genomweite Assoziationsstudien durchführen, um genetische Merkmale von M. truncatula zu identifizieren, die die Etablierung des N-Bioms unter Trockenstress unterstützen. Alle Experimente werden von Wurzelmikrobiomanalysen begleitet, um die Integrität des N-Bioms oder eventuell der Erweiterung seiner Funktion durch die Rekrutierung zusätzlicher nützlicher Mikroben unter diesen sich verändernden Umgebungen zu bestimmen. Unser Projekt hat zum Ziel, das N-Biom als biologische Applikationseinheit für zukünftige Feldanwendungen zu entwickeln.
Terpenes (=isoprenoids) are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by plants but their ecological functions are not fully understood. Poplars are strong isoprene emitters. In preceding studies we have constructed non-isoprene emitting poplars and started with their characterization. We have also constructed poplars expressing pinene synthase. We aim to study the role of isoprene and monoterpenes in herbivore and mycorrhizal interactions. In addition to wild type poplar plants (isoprene and non-monoterpene emitters) we will make use of transgenic poplar lines, that are either non-isoprene emitters or non-isoprene, but constitutive monoterpene emitters. The influence of the VOC emission on the interaction with herbivores and/or ectomycorrhizal fungi will be studied under laboratory, green house and open air conditions. Furthermore, it will be investigated how attack by herbivores affects the survival of ectomycorrhizal fungi or pathogenic fungi and vice versa, and how EM changes the VOC blend emitted by the plants and the performance of leaf feeding insects. Responses of the plant and the ectomycorrhiza will be studied on a molecular level. The results of these studies will provide important knowledge about poplar interaction and defense from herbivory.
Methane (CH4) is a major greenhouse gas of which the atmospheric concentration has more than doubled since pre-industrial times. Soils can act as both, source and sink for atmospheric CH4, while upland forest soils generally act as CH4 consumers. Oxidation rates depend on factors influenced by the climate like soil temperature and soil moisture but also on soil properties like soil structure, texture and chemical properties. Many of these parameters directly influence soil aeration. CH4 oxidation in soils seems to be controlled by the supply with atmospheric CH4, and thus soil aeration is a key factor. We aim to investigate the importance of soil-gas transport-processes for CH4 oxidation in forest soils from the variability the intra-site level, down to small-scale (0.1 m), using new approaches of field measurements. Further we will investigate the temporal evolution of soil CH4 consumption and the influence of environmental factors during the season. Based on previous results, we hypothesize that turbulence-driven pressure-pumping modifies the transport of CH4 into the soil, and thus, also CH4 consumption. To improve the understanding of horizontal patterns of CH4 oxidation we want to integrate the vertical dimension on the different scales using an enhanced gradient flux method. To overcome the constraints of the classical gradient method we will apply gas-diffusivity measurements in-situ using tracer gases and Finite-Element-Modeling. Similar to the geophysical technique of Electrical Resistivity Tomography we want to develop a Gas Diffusivity Tomography. This will allow to derive the three-dimensional distribution of soil gas diffusivity and methane oxidation.
Salinity reduces the productivity of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) through osmotic and ionic effects. For given atmospheric conditions we hypothesize the existence of an optimal canopy structure at which water use efficiency is maximal and salt accumulation per unit of dry matter production is minimal. This canopy structure optimum can be predicted by integrating physiological processes over the canopy using a functional-structural plant model (FSPM). This model needs to represent the influence of osmotic stress on plant morphology and stomatal conductance, the accumulation of toxic ions and their dynamics in the different compartments of the system, and their toxic effects in the leaf. Experiments will be conducted to parameterize an extended cucumber FSPM. In in-silico experiments with the FSPM we attempt to identify which canopy structure could lead to maximum long-term water use efficiency with minimum ionic stress. The results from in-silico experiments will be evaluated by comparing different canopy structures in greenhouses. Finally, the FSPM will be used to investigate to which extent the improvement of individual mechanisms of salt tolerance like reduced sensitivity of stomatal conductance or leaf expansion can contribute to whole-plant salt tolerance.
In recent years science has taken an increased interest in mineralization processes in tropical soils in particular under minimal tillage operations. Plant litter quality and management strongly affect mineralization-nitrification processes in soil and hence the fate of nitrogen in ecosystems and the environment. Plant secondary metabolites like lignin and polyphenols are poorly degradable and interact with proteins (protein binding capacity) and hence protect them from microbial attack. Nitrification, a microbiological process, directly and indirectly influences the efficiency of recovery of N in the vegetation as well as the loss of N (through denitrification and leaching) causing environmental pollution to water bodies and contributes to global warming (e.g. the greenhouse gas N2O is emitted as a by-product of nitrification and denitrification). Nitrifiers comprise a relatively narrow species diversity (at least as known to date) and are generally thought to be sensitive to low soil pH and stress. Despite these properties nitrification occurs in acid tropical soils with high levels of aluminium and manganese. Thus the main objective of the project will be the identification of micro-organisms and mechanisms responsible for mineralization-nitrification processes in acid tropical soils and the influence of long-term litter input of different chemical qualities and minimal tillage options. The project will include the use of stable isotopes (15N, 13C), mass spectrometry, gas chromatography (CO2, N2O), biochemical methods (PLFA) and molecular biology (16s rRNA., PCR, DGGE)
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