Post-Doctoral Fellowship: Exploiting the Potential of a Novel Fungal Biofertiliser
Majority of agricultural crops establish mutually beneficial associations with AM fungi, which benefit the host plants directly via enhanced uptake of nutrients that might be physically or chemically inaccessible to root systems, or indirectly via conferring resistance to host plants against biotic/abiotic stresses. The great potential of AM fungi in the agronomic context, however, is constrained by the obligate biotrophic nature of these fungi (i.e. they can grow only in the presence of a live host) that results in high cost of inoculum production; moreover, application of P fertilisers generally results in decreased (or completely inhibited) AM colonisation of roots.
Kariman et al. (2014) described a novel symbiosis between jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and the Australian native fungus (Austroboletus occidentalis) in which root colonisation does not occur, but host plants get significant growth and Phosphorus (P) nutritional benefits due to enhanced nutrient solubilisation and mobilisation in soil.
This investment will characterise the potential of the native symbiotic fungus as a biofertiliser for three major grain crops (canola, wheat and barley), with a particular focus on improvement of crop yield and P nutrition.
Project date
Project funded by
Related tags
Focus areas
Industries
Sustainabilities
Technology areas
Related research projects
Search all research projectsAustralian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network (AFREN 2)
Exploring a cotton and grains agricultural traineeship model
Have questions?
Find out how we can help you.
Find answers to our most frequently asked questions on research projects, commercial opportunities, organisations and more.
Still have questions or have feedback on the site? Please get in touch by completing our enquiry form.