Developing biocontrol against corn pathogens

Devanshi Khokhani

Nitrogen is the most widely used and often a limiting macronutrient in corn production. Unlike legumes that obtain fixed nitrogen from rhizobia residing inside the root nodules, non-legumes rely on expensive industrial inputs of nitrogen. Unfortunately, only a portion of the applied nitrogen is taken up by the plant. Much of the applied nitrogen is lost to the environment in the form of nitrates in agricultural runoff water or as nitrous oxide emissions into the atmosphere, contributing to warmer temperatures. To reduce grower dependence on synthetic fertilizers, we aim to evaluate the effect of mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria (diazotrophs) on nitrogen uptake by corn. Specifically, we will evaluate the synergistic effects of these microbes in enhancing nitrogen fixation and plant biomass.

First year
We will obtain data on plant growth using different combinations of microbial strains to determine what combination provides the optimum benefits.

Second year
Using the 15N dilution method, we will confirm the role of mycorrhization in nitrogen transfer to corn plants. Additionally, we will gain knowledge on how the presence of different diazotrophs in the microbial community affects the transfer of fixed nitrogen to the plants.

The outcomes of the study will have the potential to develop biofertilizers that could be formulated for use on cornfields to reduce our dependence on expensive nitrogen fertilizers.