25 projects which will be part of SPP 2089 in the first phase for the next years. The proposals of 13 universities, 2 Helmholtz centres, 1 Leibniz-Institute and as well as the working group of Prof. Smalla (Julius Kühn Institute – JKI) and Thünen-Institute have been recommended for funding by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation). The programme of the DFG entitled “Rhizosphere Spatiotemporal Organisation – a Key to Rhizosphere Functions” (SPP 2089) is designed to run for six years. This Priority Programme aims at the identification of spatiotemporal patterns in the rhizosphere and the explanation of the underlying mechanisms. The key concept of the programme consists of approaching the rhizosphere as a self-organised system. Self-organisation arises from a cascade of feedback loops between root, microbiome and soil. Emerging patterns in the rhizosphere cannot be understood from studying the components in isolation.
The overall hypothesis of the Priority Programme is that resilience emerges from self-organised spatiotemporal pattern formation in the rhizosphere.
At the JKI, the working group of Prof. Kornelia Smalla aims to unravel the spatiotemporal organization of the rhizosphere microbiome of two corn genotypes depending on the soil (texture) and the presence of plant growth promoting bacteria (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 gfp; Pseudomonas sp. RU47 rfp). This work is closely linked to research done by other groups involved in the central experiments (column experiments in climate chamber and field experiment) of the Priority Programme, investigating root exudates, root architecture, soil porosity, water availability and soil aggregates.
More information: www.ufz.de/spp-rhizosphere/