Abstract Detail

Recent Topics Posters

Hirsch, Ann [1], Kosty, Melissa [2], Bhagawat, Chaiti [3], Smith, Rachel [4], Maymon, Maskit [5], Pule-Meulenberg, Flora [6].

Isolation and characterization of plant growth-promoting bacteria from semi-arid Botswana soil.

As the world population increases, improvements in crop production will be necessary to meet rising food demands. Currently, farmers improve agricultural productivity by applying synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to crops. However, fertilizer and pesticide use is associated with serious environmental consequences including air and water pollution. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) enhance plant growth via diverse mechanisms and improve agricultural productivity in a sustainable manner. Our research focuses on isolating drought tolerant PGPB from semi-arid soils with the goal that they be used to improve crop growth as the climate changes. In this project, we tested whether Botswana soil microbes affected the growth of nitrogen-deprived legumes including Vigna unguiculata(cowpea) and Vigna subterranea(groundnut). We have observed improved growth of the experimental cowpea plants (in 2017 and 2019 soil) in addition to several other legumes. We also identified and characterized bacteria isolated from cowpea root nodules and directly from soil samples. Among the isolates are several known plant growth-promoting rhizobia. Finally, we have analyzed environmental DNA extracted from several soil samples over the years to better understand the composition of their microbiomes and how they change over time. These results can be applied to develop bacterial consortia that may be used to enhance crop production in nutritionally poor, dry soils in an environmentally sustainable manner.

1 - UCLA, Dept. Of MCD Biology, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
2 - UCLA, Dept. of MCD Biology, 621 Charles Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1606, USA
3 - UCLA, Dept. of EE Biology, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1606
4 - UCLA, Dept of MIMG, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1606, USA
5 - UCLA, Dept. of MCD Biology, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1606, USA
6 - Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Microbiology, Gaberone, Botswana

Keywords:
arid enviroments
Plant microbiomes
plant growth promotion.

Presentation Type:
Session: P, Recent Topics Posters
Location: Arizona Ballroom/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PRT013
Abstract ID:1380
Candidate for Awards:None