Assessing the potential of engineered microbial communities to reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from agricultural soils

Proof-of-concept funding has been secured from the 'DAF-UQ Zero Net Emission Grand Challenge' scheme to collect a diverse range of soils (representing a range of soil characteristics, i.e., pH, texture, organic matter content, nutrient availability, etc) used to grow different crop types (sugarcane, rice, wheat, cotton, sorghum, vegetables) from ~12 sites across Queensland. Soil and crop type are key factors regulating the composition of soil microbial communities. GRDC co-investment will provide funding for an additional 20 grain only sites across Queensland to expand the range of soil properties/characteristics under investigation. Site selection will aim to maximise the diversity of soil properties/characteristics and crop types, as this will drive the diversity of microbial communities and strains. Soil diversity is critical, as previous research indicates it is likely a diverse microbial community which contains a high functional redundancy may be a more effective solution for delivering specific, microbially mediated function across a range of conditions (i.e., soils which are inherently variable). There is opportunity to identify key microbial strains and communities driving N2O emissions and develop a parameterised microbial community library for a range of soils.