Ecology and chemistry of plant-microbiome interactions in iron-deficient soil

2020 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20F20084
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: 東樹 宏和 京都大学, 生態学研究センター, 准教授 (60585024)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): CANARINI ALBERTO 京都大学, 生態学研究センター, 外国人特別研究員
• Project Period (FY): 2020-09-25 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: microbiomes / plants / chemical ecology / stable isotopes / nutrient defficiency

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

Within our planned research proposal, we aimed at achieving several goals with the overall intent to deepen the scientific understanding of plant microbiome research. We planned two major experiments investigating competition dynamics between root endophytic fungi and their interactions with the natural soil microbiome. Since the start of the research period (October 2020) we can only report on major activities and specific objectives that we achieved in support of the planned experiments. Due to the limited amount of time, we have yet to produce key scientific outcomes (e.g. publication or presentation at international conference) or major findings. Our achievements can be summarized in three main points:
1)Outline of a specific experimental approach and set up of a research network for the theoretical and technical support for different aspects of the research plan (including multiple partners within and outside Japan);
2)Set up of the necessary equipment to allow measurement of stable isotopes in microbial biomarkers (fatty acids) within our research plan (to complement the molecular analyses planned);
3)Purchasing of all the material needed for the first part of the project.
On a side note, whereas the original research plan was focused on plant-microbiome interactions in iron-deficient soil, obtaining iron deficient soil resulted more difficult than originally planned. We therefore decided to focus on nitrogen deficient soils. We delineated and outlined a precise research plan to tackle this change in our research objectives.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

The current development of our research plan includes tasks that have been accomplished (included in the above section “Research Achievements”) and other areas for which early developmental stages are still taking place. Regarding the latter, we are currently carrying a series of tests that will allow us to optimize the growth system required for our experiments and to calibrate the necessary condition to successfully achieve stable isotope tracing techniques. These tests are the base for the following experiments, and they will be finalized around the end of May 2021. This will give us plenty of time to accomplish the first main experiment before the end of the year 2021 and already start a second. Given that we plan two major experiments during the entire research period, we believe that the current status of our research can be considered on track with the objectives planned. We also discussed and compiled (together with our established research network) a list of possible risks and counter measures, which we believe will allow us to overcome possible obstacle and maintain the project on track.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

We set out a detailed research plan for the fiscal year 2021, with the intent of finalizing the ongoing activities, conduct the first experiment (from the practical aspects to data analysis) and start a second experiment that will be completed in the following fiscal year.To summarize the Research Plan for the fiscal year 2021, we listed a series of objectives (and the rationale) that we aim to achieve: 1) Finalise tests to optimize the growth system for our manipulated root microbiome: these series of tests will establish the necessary growth conditions to optimize our experimental system; 2) Finalise tests to calibrate the necessary condition to successfully achieve stable isotope tracing techniques: these tests will allow us to characterize the necessary conditions to achieve measurable amounts of stable isotope tracer incorporated in different biomarkers for fungi and in plant biomass; 3) Carry experiment number 1, testing competition dynamics between different root endophytic fungi: this will be the major experiment in 2021; 4) Carry all the analysis related to experiment number 1 and discussion of results within our research network; 5) Writing of the research outcome for dissemination of results in a scientific journal; 6) Organize the set up necessary to start of experiment n. 2;