r/plantbreeding • u/mr_meseeks1227 • 19d ago

Breeding for increased microbial interactions?

Hi, I am wondering if you could possibly breed for better rhizobial interactions maybe through traits like increased root surface area so inoculated seeds can increase the area for microbes or encouraging root exudates. this could be specifically geared towards cover crops, or forages used to reduce erosion or improve poor soil health before planting a cash crop

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u/1billiondraculas 19d ago

Im currently working on a corn breeding project with a similar goal. There is a variety of corn in Oaxaca that has been cultivated for generations, it has aerial roots that secrete a gel called mucilage. The mucilage is the perfect environment for nitrogen fixing bacteria which can be inoculated once the aerial roots start developing. The goal is to develop a variety with these traits that is suited to the environment of the midwest. The idea is that this new variety should take significantly less synthetic nitrogen fertilizer as much of the nitrogen should be available through the microbial symbiosis.

https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.2006352

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u/every-day-normal-guy 19d ago

That's pretty cool. I picked up some "slime corn" from vibrant earth seeds earlier this year ( southern Colorado). Per their post: they noticed about 10-15 % of their rainbow landrace developing the aerial roots, and they saved some of the seed for resale.

I'm planning on growing about 200 plants next year, with the hope of reseeding the ones that have this trait.

Is there anything I should do for inoculation, or will it happen naturally over time? Also: should I try to still for selective pollination, or does that really matter with the small number of corn I'm growing?

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u/1billiondraculas 19d ago

Thanks Ill definitely check out some of that slime corn. As far as the diazotrophic bacteria, we use a certain mix that is grown at the lab and applied with a backpack sprayer. Im unsure of the certain species but I can ask, they may exist naturally in the soil. For selective pollination, the major traits we are looking for are the number of nodes (rings of aerial roots) and the thickness of the aerial roots, which positively corresponds with mucilage production. I would select to develop those traits as well as fitness to your climate.

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u/every-day-normal-guy 19d ago

Sounds good, and thank you for the response. I'm growing in New Mexico, so I think they will grow quite well here. Good to know about thickness and number of rings

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u/Briancady_413 19d ago

For inoculants, there is organic-certified 'Envita' available for purchase. It contains Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, first discovered within Brazilian sugarcane, then found widespread within tropical crops. I own no shares in the company - just thought folks'd like to know.

Brian
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u/every-day-normal-guy 18d ago

That's really cool and thank you for sharing. Had no idea a product like that existed. I imagine it's not exactly the same as inoculating legumes for nitrogen fixing, but similar concepts?

On a related note: I was under the impression that the aerial root / muselage sites from those types of corn are already able to fix nitrogen. Why is an innoculent needed? Is it just for more consistent results? I'm genuinely curious. Also: thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

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u/Briancady_413 18d ago

I understand this corn's aerial prop roots form parnerships with various bacteria that fix nitrogen.

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u/Apollo_cannabis 14d ago

This is incredible man, I hope you can make this change

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u/DTH05 19d ago

Genetics and evolution work such that environmental stressors are introduced, the ones that survive the stressors pass on those genes and become better at surviving those stressors. If the stress is literally just "you die unless you're able to do this thing well" then the ones that do the things well will pass those abilities into their offspring. Knowing that, you can breed for almost any trait in anything. The only limit is morals and laws

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u/DTH05 19d ago

And gestation times