Project Title: Characterization and dynamics of seed-associated microbiome in weed soil seed-bank

 Project No: lzp-2020/1-0163

Period: 1 January 2021 – 31 December 2023

Project costs: 300 000 EUR

Principle Investigator: Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (J.Nečajeva)

Collaborator: Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre (D.Fridmanis)

Summary

Sustainable long-term strategies of integrated weed management rely on depletion of the weed soil seed bank. The persistence of seeds in the soil is dependent on the activity of microorganisms, which includes the interaction of the seed-associated microbes (the seed microbiome) and the soil microbes. The aim of the project is to characterize the dynamic of the seed-associated microbial community and relate it to the seed persistence in soil. Two noxious weed species, Avena fatua and Echinochloa crus-galli were chosen as the research objects. In terms of the project the ability of the seeds to withstand microbial attack will be determined. To determine the persistence of seeds in soil and to characterize seed properties, soil conditions and microbiological factors that influence the rate of seed decay a seed burial experiment will be established in two different locations. Seeds collected in three years in different sites will be buried and exhumed at intervals to test seed viability and germination. Microorganisms present in the soil and those associated with seeds (seed microbiome) play a decisive role in the decay of imbibed dormant seeds, therefore taxonomic profiles of bacterial and fungal species associated with the buried seeds will be determined by extracting the DNA with application of Next Generation Sequencing technology. The ability of the seeds with different characteristics to withstand seed pathogens will be tested in laboratory conditions.

Information published 04.01.2021.