The rare biosphere; discovering how soil bacteria live on air. In Antarctic deserts where photosynthetic potential is low, we discovered that soil microbiomes sustain their energy and carbon budgets through a novel process reliant on trace gases we coined 'atmospheric chemosynthesis'. But how do soil bacteria literally live on air? This project aims to reveal functional chemoautotrophic pathways in cultured soil bacteria that use trace gases as a source of energy and carbon acquisition. We will ....The rare biosphere; discovering how soil bacteria live on air. In Antarctic deserts where photosynthetic potential is low, we discovered that soil microbiomes sustain their energy and carbon budgets through a novel process reliant on trace gases we coined 'atmospheric chemosynthesis'. But how do soil bacteria literally live on air? This project aims to reveal functional chemoautotrophic pathways in cultured soil bacteria that use trace gases as a source of energy and carbon acquisition. We will perform biogeochamistry, transcriptomics and proteomics on the first model bacterial strains genetically capable of this overlooked process. Outcomes will advance knowledge on microbial metabolism, extending the repertoire of hydrogen-oxidising bacteria to soil ecosystem services, primarily primary production.Read moreRead less
Alleviating herbicide damage to crops by using fulvate and manganese. Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide, but its drift can cause growth depression in sensitive plants such as wheat by reducing uptake of metallic micronutrients, particularly manganese. In pot and field trials, this project aims to assess the alleviating potential of fulvate and manganese on growth and micronutrient uptake by wheat exposed to glyphosate drift. The influence of land management on the effect of these treatments ....Alleviating herbicide damage to crops by using fulvate and manganese. Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide, but its drift can cause growth depression in sensitive plants such as wheat by reducing uptake of metallic micronutrients, particularly manganese. In pot and field trials, this project aims to assess the alleviating potential of fulvate and manganese on growth and micronutrient uptake by wheat exposed to glyphosate drift. The influence of land management on the effect of these treatments will also be assessed. The underlying mechanisms will be characterised, eg. by determining metal speciation in soil and assessing soil microbial community composition. The outcome of this project will contribute to sustainable agriculture by giving land managers options to reduce glyphosate damage in sensitive crops.Read moreRead less
Atmospheric carbon fixation: a novel microbial process in Antarctic soils. This project aims to challenge our global understanding of carbon fixation. In most ecosystems, phototrophy supports higher-trophic life, yet no genetic evidence for photosynthesis exists in Antarctic desert soils. The project will determine the significance of atmospheric chemotrophy, a microbial driven process based on the consumption of atmospheric gases that it is proposed supports energy maintenance and biomass assim ....Atmospheric carbon fixation: a novel microbial process in Antarctic soils. This project aims to challenge our global understanding of carbon fixation. In most ecosystems, phototrophy supports higher-trophic life, yet no genetic evidence for photosynthesis exists in Antarctic desert soils. The project will determine the significance of atmospheric chemotrophy, a microbial driven process based on the consumption of atmospheric gases that it is proposed supports energy maintenance and biomass assimilation in nutrient-starved Antarctic desert soils. Additionally, the project will establish if these processes are structuring soil microbial communities, particularly in response to climate change. The expected project outcome is knowledge of primary production at the nutritional limits of life. This should provide significant benefit, such as a shift in our knowledge of the biological sciences as a new minimalistic mode of primary production.Read moreRead less
Phosphorus cycling and adaptation of soil microbes to P availability . This project aims to determine how soil microbial communities adapt to phosphorus availability, and how the breakdown of microbial biomass sustains phosphorus demand. Using some of the most globally P-impoverished soils, the project expects to uncover how cellular composition of microbial populations is shaped by phosphorus availability, and feedbacks between cellular composition of microbes and phosphorus availability. Expec ....Phosphorus cycling and adaptation of soil microbes to P availability . This project aims to determine how soil microbial communities adapt to phosphorus availability, and how the breakdown of microbial biomass sustains phosphorus demand. Using some of the most globally P-impoverished soils, the project expects to uncover how cellular composition of microbial populations is shaped by phosphorus availability, and feedbacks between cellular composition of microbes and phosphorus availability. Expected outcomes include better understanding of factors determining phosphorus availability, and a new analytical toolkit for tracing pools and fluxes of organic P in soils. Overall, these should provide significant benefit to the global effort in understanding how phosphorus shapes soil function.Read moreRead less