Developing stable, simplified, functional consortia from rhizosphere for microbial application in sustainable agriculture.

The rhizosphere microbiome plays a crucial role in supporting plant productivity and ecosystem functioning by regulating nutrient cycling, soil integrity, and carbon storage. However, deciphering the intricate interplay between microbial relationships within the rhizosphere is challenging due to the overwhelming taxonomic and functional diversity. Here we present our systematic design framework built on microbial colocalization and microbial interaction, toward successful assembly of multiple rhizosphere-derived Reduced Complexity Consortia (RCC).

Fine scale sampling reveals early differentiation of rhizosphere microbiome from bulk soil in young Brachypodium plant roots.

For a deeper and comprehensive understanding of the composition and function of rhizosphere microbiomes, we need to focus at the scale of individual roots in standardized growth containers. Root exudation patterns are known to vary along distinct parts of the root even in juvenile plants giving rise to spatially distinct microbial niches. To address this, we analyzed the microbial community from two spatially distinct zones of the developing primary root (tip and base) in young Brachypodium distachyon grown in natural soil using standardized fabricated ecosystems known as EcoFABs as well as in more conventional pot and tubes.

Emerging Trends in Biological Treatment of Wastewater From Unconventional Oil and Gas Extraction.

Unconventional oil and gas exploration generates an enormous quantity of wastewater, commonly referred to as flowback and produced water (FPW). Limited freshwater resources and stringent disposal regulations have provided impetus for FPW reuse. Organic and inorganic compounds released from the shale/brine formation, microbial activity, and residual chemicals added during hydraulic fracturing bestow a unique as well as temporally varying chemical composition to this wastewater.