Role of root traits on nutrient acquisition via mycorrhiza

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INRAE presentation

The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) is a major player in research and innovation. It is a community of 12,000 people with 272 research, experimental research, and support units located in 18 regional centres throughout France. Internationally, INRAE is among the top research organisations in the agricultural and food sciences, plant and animal sciences, as well as in ecology and environmental science. It is the world’s leading research organisation specialising in agriculture, food and the environment. INRAE’s goal is to be a key player in the transitions necessary to address major global challenges. Faced with a growing world population, climate change, resource scarcity, and declining biodiversity, the Institute has a major role to play in building solutions and supporting the necessary acceleration of agricultural, food and environmental transitions.

Work environment, missions and activities

Plants exhibit a range of strategies for acquiring soil resources, from direct uptake by roots to collaborative strategies where the plant relies on fungal partners for resource acquisition. Mycorrhizal fungi establish a symbiosis with most plant species, and enhance their nutrient acquisition by accessing large soil volumes through their extensive hyphal networks. Both direct nutrient acquisition by roots and nutrient uptake via arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) constitute a carbon investment for the plant. While roots can acquire nutrients independently, this process requires the allocation of carbon to maintain root growth and functions. Similarly, plants also supply carbon to maintain the collaboration with AMF symbionts. Despite growing evidence that a plant root system characteristics or traits mediate nutrient acquisition strategies of plants, little is known about how intraspecific variation of root traits influence nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition via mycorrhiza. 

The aim of this PhD project is to characterise the role of root traits and AMF communities on the regulation of mycorrhizal nutrition in wheat. The main two objectives of the PhD are (i) to determine the importance of intraspecific trait variation in wheat for the establishment and functioning of the AMF symbiosis; and (ii) to evaluate the importance of intraspecific root trait variation and wheat nutritional requirements on the assembly of AMF communities in roots. To do that you will mainly carry out experiments under controlled conditions. You will measure the expression of AMF colonization and mycorrhizal nutrition marker genes by qRT-PCR, and trophic exchanges between plants and AMF using stable isotope tracing. You will characterise the AMF communities via high throughput sequencing of the PCR amplicon. This project will provide new insights into the importance of root traits, not only on direct uptake, but also on symbiotic interactions, which are essential for the resilience and sustainability of cropping systems. These results will have concrete applications in the breeding of wheat varieties adapted to low-input cropping systems, where optimizing mycorrhizal cooperation could reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers.

The PhD student will be based in the “Laboratory of Plant-Microbe-Environment Interactions“ (LIPME, team “Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis efficacy“, https://www.lipme.fr/efis; Castanet-Tolosan).

 To apply please send as a single pdf your cover letter and CV to agnes.ardanuy@inrae.fr and benoit.lefebvre@inrae.fr with the subject line [PhD_traits_SURNAME]. 

We will review applications from the 16th of September. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview on the week of 22nd September.

Training and skills

We are looking for a candidate with a background in plant sciences, agronomy or ecology. Experience in plant-soil ecology, plant-microorganism interactions, field work and the analysis of ecological datasets will be a plus. The candidate should be able to work independently and collaboratively. 

INRAE's life quality

By joining our teams, you benefit from (depending on the type of contract and its duration):

- up to 30 days of annual leave + 15 days "Reduction of Working Time" (for a full time);
- parenting support: CESU childcare, leisure services;
- skills development systems: training, career advise;
- social support: advice and listening, social assistance and loans;
- holiday and leisure services: holiday vouchers, accommodation at preferential rates;
- sports and cultural activities;
- collective catering.

How to apply

I send my CV and my motivation letter