PlantsCoChallenge Project SP4: Local Co-Adaptation of Plants and Their Microbiota to Climatic Stress
The SP4 Project, part of the PlantsCoChallenge Research Unit, is a collaborative effort between our team and the groups led by Karin Schrieber and Alexandra Erfmeier at Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel. This project investigates how Cakile maritima (sea rocket) and its associated microbiota adapt locally to climatic stress. By studying Cakile populations from distinct northern and southern climates, our project aims to reveal how microbial communities support plant adaptation to environmental extremes. Through field sampling, microbial isolation, and genetic analyses, we seek to identify specific microbiota that enhance plant resilience to local climate conditions.
Project Goals
The SP4 project centers on three main objectives:
- Investigate Microbial and Plant Co-Adaptation Across Climates
Analyze microbial diversity and plant-microbiota interactions in northern and southern Cakile maritima populations to understand local adaptation mechanisms. - Isolate and Characterize Climate-Adapted Microbial Communities
Collect and isolate microbes from diverse climatic regions to determine their functional roles and their influence on plant adaptation. - Develop Predictive Models of Microbiota-Driven Adaptation to Climatic Stress
Use insights from co-adaptation studies to create models that predict how microbiota can enhance plant resilience to changing climates.
Research Focus
1. Microbial Diversity and Local Adaptation
This area examines how distinct climatic conditions shape plant-microbiota interactions, focusing on local adaptation to climatic stress.
- Recent Findings: Field sampling from northern and southern Cakile maritima populations, conducted in collaboration with the Schrieber and Erfmeier labs, has provided a diverse collection of microbes for study. These samples are being processed to explore potential differences in microbial community structure related to climate. Our ongoing work aims to identify microbial taxa that could play a role in supporting Cakile resilience to variations in temperature and moisture, testing the hypothesis that specific microbes enhance plant adaptation to local climate conditions.
2. Isolation and Functional Analysis of Climate-Adapted Microbes
Here, we focus on isolating and characterizing microbes that influence Cakile maritima’s adaptation to specific climatic conditions.
- Recent Findings: We have successfully isolated microbes from both northern and southern Cakile populations, including diverse bacteria and fungi, to investigate their potential roles in supporting plant tolerance to climate-specific stressors. Ongoing genetic and physiological studies, in collaboration with the Schrieber and Erfmeier groups, aim to test the hypothesis that these isolates may contribute to plant resilience and adaptation under varying climatic conditions.
3. Predictive Modeling and Experimental Validation of Co-Adaptation
This work package combines field and experimental data to create predictive models of microbiota-driven adaptation.
- Approach: Using experimental data from isolated microbes and field observations, we are developing computational models to simulate how Cakile maritima-microbiota partnerships respond to climate variability. These models aim to identify microbiota configurations that maximize plant resilience and adaptation, providing insights for future applications in agriculture and conservation.
Innovative Approach
SP4 integrates ecological sampling, microbial isolation, and computational modeling to uncover mechanisms of Cakile maritima-microbiota co-adaptation to climate. In close collaboration with the Schrieber and Erfmeier groups, we aim to identify and test climate-adapted microbial communities, building predictive models that guide sustainable strategies for enhancing plant resilience under climate change.
Significance and Future Impact
The findings from the SP4 project will contribute essential knowledge about plant-microbiota co-adaptation to environmental stress. This research not only enhances our understanding of local adaptation mechanisms in Cakile maritima but also offers pathways for developing climate-resilient crops and ecosystem management strategies in the face of climate change.