Award details

Population structure and diversity in soil and rhizosphere microbial communities, with regard to differences in soil type and agronomic practices

Reference	BBS/E/C/00031469
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Penny Hirsch
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	15,310
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1997
End date	31/03/1998
Duration	12 months

Abstract

Details should only be considered in the context of PU information. Although the size of microbial populations in soil (the microbial biomass") remains fairly stable over time in arable soils, little is known about the relationship between microbial numbers, genetic diversity and physiological potential, and how these might be affected by changes in agricultural practices, climate, or other variables. The project involves both development, comparison and assessment of methods to compare the genetic and functional diversity of soil microorganisms; and identification of potential indicators of differences between soils. The first part encompasses genetic fingerprinting methods for bacteria and fungi including RFLP and PCR-based fingerprinting (ERIC, REP, primers and oligoprobes utilizing DNA sequence similarities and differences in the ribosomal genes); and also biochemical/physiological tests involving substrate utilization by individual isolates and communities (e.g. BIOLOG plates). To establish methodologies, DNA fingerprints must be obtained for bacteria and fungi that can easily be cultured on selective agar (eg. pseudomonads) or selected by other methods (eg. rhizobia, selected via host plant nodulation). The second part concerns investigation of biochemical markers in soil ('signature' molecules) associated with particular crops or agricultural practices."

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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