Title: Unraveling Plant-Microbe Interactions and the Role of ABA-Independent Oxylipin Pathway in Water Use Efficiency and Stress Tolerance in Crop Plants in Saudi Arabia
Objective:
The objective of this PhD proposal is to investigate the role of the ABA-independent oxylipin pathway in modulating water use efficiency (WUE) and stress tolerance in crop plants suitable for cultivation in Saudi Arabia while exploring plant-microbe interactions that could further enhance the understanding of the molecular communication mechanisms between microorganisms and plants under water-limited conditions.
Background:
Water use efficiency (WUE) is a critical factor for plant productivity in arid and semi-arid regions like Saudi Arabia, where water scarcity and extreme environmental conditions pose significant challenges for agriculture. The ABA-independent oxylipin pathway, involving 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA), has been shown to influence stomatal closure and immune defense in Arabidopsis. Investigating the role of this pathway in WUE and stress tolerance in crop plants suitable for Saudi Arabian agriculture, as well as understanding plant-microbe interactions, can provide valuable insights for developing strategies to improve crop productivity under water-limited conditions.
Research Questions:
How does the ABA-independent oxylipin pathway influence WUE and stress tolerance in crop plants suitable for cultivation in Saudi Arabia under normal and stress conditions, such as drought and salinity?
What are the key components of the ABA-independent oxylipin pathway in these crop plants, and how do they interact with other hormonal signaling pathways and molecular processes that govern WUE?
How do plant-microbe interactions influence the ABA-independent oxylipin pathway, and can specific beneficial microorganisms improve WUE and stress tolerance in crop plants suitable for cultivation in Saudi Arabia?
Can manipulation of the ABA-independent oxylipin pathway and targeted application of beneficial microorganisms lead to improved WUE and enhanced tolerance to environmental stressors in these crop plants?
Methodology:
Perform comparative analysis of the ABA-independent oxylipin pathway components in crop plants suitable for Saudi Arabian agriculture using bioinformatics tools and available genomic and transcriptomic data.
Conduct targeted gene knockout and overexpression experiments in selected crop plants to study the function of key components in the ABA-independent oxylipin pathway and their impact on WUE and stress tolerance.
Identify and isolate beneficial microorganisms (e.g., endophytes and rhizobacteria) from the native soils of Saudi Arabian agricultural regions and study their potential in promoting WUE and stress tolerance in crop plants.
Investigate the molecular communication mechanisms between these beneficial microorganisms and the host plants, focusing on the interaction with the ABA-independent oxylipin pathway.
Measure WUE in genetically modified plants and plants inoculated with beneficial microorganisms under different environmental conditions (e.g., drought, salinity, and varying light intensities) using gas exchange measurements, stable isotope analysis, and assessment of stomatal conductance and photosynthesis rates.
Expected Outcomes:
Identification of key components of the ABA-independent oxylipin pathway and their impact on WUE in crop plants suitable for Saudi Arabian agriculture.
Comprehensive understanding of the role of the ABA-independent oxylipin pathway in modulating WUE and stress tolerance in these crop plants under different environmental conditions.
Identification of beneficial microorganisms and their potential to improve WUE and stress tolerance in crop plants suitable for cultivation in Saudi Arabia.
Insights into the molecular communication mechanisms between beneficial microorganisms and host plants, particularly in relation to the ABA-independent oxylipin pathway.
Development of strategies for improving crop WUE and stress
Last Completed Projects
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