Copolymers enhance selective bacterial community colonization for potential root zone applications.

Managing the impact of anthropogenic and climate induced stress on plant growth remains a challenge. Here we show that polymeric hydrogels, which maintain their hydrous state, can be designed to exploit functional interactions with soil microorganisms. This microbial enhancement may mitigate biotic and abiotic stresses limiting productivity.

Impact of confining 3-D polymer networks on dynamics of bacterial ingress and self-organisation.

Studies of microbial interactions during motility, micro-structuring and colonisation have predominately been limited to surface associated bacteria involving materials such as semi-solid biomolecular hydrogels and thin liquid films. Recently, these surfaces have been extended to synthetic polymers where they provide defined chemistries and structural properties. However, precise details of microbial ingress into the confined fluid volume of synthetic 3-D hydrogel networks and their subsequent microstructuring remain to be defined.

Impact of particle nanotopology on water transport through hydrophobic soils.

The impact of non- and poorly wetting soils has become increasingly important, due to its direct influence on the water-limited potential yield of rain-fed grain crops at a time of enhanced global competition for fresh water. This study investigates the physical and compositional mechanisms underlying the influence of soil organic matter (SOM) on the wetting processes of model systems. These model systems are directly related to two sandy wheat-producing soils that have contrasting hydrophobicities.