Metals and Microbes in the Plant Microbiome: Understanding the Bioavailability Bottleneck.

It is clear that the role of the microbiome in plant nutrition, nutrient uptake, crop quality, yield, and disease resistance cannot be underestimated.  However, the specific metabolic activities and signaling that takes place within the microbiome and between the microbes and their host plants is a rapidly growing focus area of scientific understanding.  Through metagenomics and phylogenetic gene probes, technology has allowed the rapid and thorough sequencing and phylogenetic classification of a wide array microorganisms associated with the roots of plant species, from model organisms, to crops, as well as metal hyperaccumulators.  Unfortunately, the functional role that each of these organisms plays in the overall plant response is the vital bridge to allow us to manage the plant microbiome and breed for healthy plant phenotypes based on microbiome function.

My work seeks to bridge this gap with specific focus on metal chelating abilities of members of the plant and soil microbiome.  We ask the question, how do different component of the plant microbiome facilitate or delimit metal and micronutrient bioavailability? We seek answers through both biochemical assays of the cultivable community as well as phylogenetic and metagenomics, in both annual and perennial cropping systems. I will highlight our work with Iron in organic Concord Grape production systems in central Washington, as well as our work with Aluminum in no-till winter wheat systems in the Palouse.